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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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ia  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
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cas:  le  symbols  — -^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

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filmte  d  des  taux  de  rMuction  diffdrents. 
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reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  ii  est  film*  A  partir 
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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  ie  nombre 
d'images  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mtthode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

11  '»'! 


/ 


REVIEW 


or 


"  REPORTS   ON    THE  OIEOLOGJCAL  RELATIONS,  CHE- 
MICAL  ANALYSIS,  AND   MICROSCOPIC    EXAMINA-     1 
TION    OF    THE     COAL    OF     THE    ALBERT    COAL 
MINING     COMPANY.    SITUATED    IN     HILLSfiORO',     \ 
ALBERT  COUNTY,  NEW  BRUNSWICK," 

V  t 
CIIAKLFaS  T.  JACKSON,  M.l)., 


a  /pIIoui  of  \\)t  iroliigiriil  §m\\]  of  loiibon; 

Corrcfiyiiidhiff    Mimhir  iif  the  Itoijril    Geological    Society    of    Curmrall ; 

Member  of  the  Liurnry  ami  Historical  Soiitty  of  Quebec  ; 

CurrcspondiiiL'  MnnUn-  of  ihv  Acadnnu  nf  Natural  Sciences  of  rhiladelphin,  (yc.  tfC. 


///.;y 


NEW  YORK: 

C.    VINT  EN.    PRINTER, 

J  852. 


aoc6=ir:j9 


;cv__-«fi«c 


X"^'  '^"■'^'  ^'  a'  'ii"i*"i'"'^  ^ 


'      M 


The  EDITH  and  LORNE  PIERCE 
COLLECTION  o/CANADIANA 


.9ailMMMMMMM|^jf 


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s\          e\          r 

Scale    of  Milts 
Nuutie     Mtasivrt. 


Ma^ .     iffri^iirK 


GLOLCf^lCAL  AND  MINING  MAP 

oftbe 

Asphaltuin  ^e  of  Hillgl)oro\  Wev  Brunswick, 

'f,nd  tht  adjacent  County, 
Caf*  l^fitld  and  Joitph  Sinitk,Esq; 


t]Vxn.iM<;tM>ilO»Sun»w&f  fft. 


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inclusive^  skewing  die^  _ 
frp/jesftors  Taylor,,  Rnh 


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at   (rtindstont  Island  Sot^'th'SOf 


C.  Vi-nn  >i.  Ltth  ICO  Araistiu^  Sf  N.Y. 


Section  of  ^<yck9, hfn^e  ASF^UTi/l^r  miH^  orBmsboro' New 
?lunve,  sfuwiagtht  durt  Sf  all  th^  Sfraeu,  ia^ferpoHtion  and  dip, 
0/JMSors  ToFlorr  nnh  and  xfohnston,  Oaf* ^  Ba^vfieid  and  Joseph^ ti 


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RKCOXIVOrsSASCK  M/IP  Avo  DlAffJlAMS     ' 

of  the 

ASPHALTUM   MINE  OF   FREOpi'CK'S  BBOOK, 

///  Mr  i"(tiHsh  of  Hillaboroiii)h  &  Count)-  of  AUrrt,  i^the^J'nniMeafXimMrmniimti: 

from  rtctnt  olistrvatiotu  ijf 


Ihrchestir,  Mav29^mi 


Richard  C.  Tqylor,  FhiUtitlphMi 

James  Rohb,    Frtd»ricton,N^ 


OJIAMS 

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Vofflor,  FhilaidphuLl 


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REVIEW 


or 


REPORTS  ON  THE  GEOLOGICAL  RELATIONS,  CHE- 
MICAL ANALYSIS,  AND  MICROSCOPIC  EXAMINA- 
TION OF  THE  COAL  OF  THE  ALBERT  COAL 
MINING  COMPANY.  SITUATED  IN  HILLSBORO', 
ALBERT  COUNTY,  NEW  BRUNSWICK," 


AB  WRITTBU    AND   OOMPIMD    BT 

CHARLES  T.  JACKSON,  M.D., 

OF    BOSTON. 


I  33q  a  /ellom  nf  \^/  (Seologiral  lotietq  d  Xanbaii; 

I  Corresponding   Member  of  the  Royal   Geological   Society   of   Cornwall ; 

\  Member  of  the  Literary  and  Historical  Society  of  Quebec ; 

1  Correiponding  Member  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciencet  of  Philadelphia,  ifC,  Ife. 


NEW  YORK: 
0.    VINTEN.    PRINTER, 

18.'..,. 


Lf" 


h'lcni,     /£Gs    /^4C-f- 


i 


A   REVIEW. 


<A 


A  Review  on  tlie  Reports  of  the  Coal  of  the  Albert  Coal  Mining 
Company,  situated  in  Hillsboro',  New  Brunswick,  by  Dr.  Jackson, 
would  be  uncalled  for,  did  not  those  Reports  present  some  remarkable 
features,  descriptions,  and  declarations,  seldom,  if  ever  before,  paraded 
under  the  pretensions  of  science. 

It  is  not  uncommon  for  authors  to  publish  whole  volumes  in 
defence  of  their  opinions,  or  the  facts  they  have  discovered  by 
experiment  or  demonstration  ;  but  in  the  present  instance.  Dr.  Jack- 
son, the  author  and  compiler  of  the  Reports  referred  to,  has  put  forth 
a  pamphlet  of  nearly  fifty  pages,  to  prove  that  all  his  former  state- 
ments upon  the  subject  he  has  treated  of  are  untrue ;  and  to  declare 
that  no  confidence  whatever  can  be  placed  in  them,  or  all  that  he  had 
before  written  on  the  Asphaltum  or  Coal  of  Hillsboro'  in  the  British 
province  of  New  Brunswick.  To  assist  him  in  denying  the  veracity 
of  his  own  declarations,  descriptions,  and  analysis,  he  has  called  in 
the  aid  of  his  friends,  that  the  work  may  lack  nothing  essential  to 
win  the  price  of  his  prevarication.  It  would,  perhaps  be  unfair  to 
charge  the  doctor  with  imbecility.  He  has  evidently  acted  under 
strong  temptation  ;  but  the  feelings  and  objects  he  has  failed  to 
conceal  in  his  Reports,  will  appear  in  a  stronger  light,  when  they 
are  calmly  and  candidly  scrutinized. 

Few  men  professing  a  love  of  the  objects  of  nature  have  ever 
been  found  willing  to  sacrifice  science  and  character  to  mercenary 
gain ;  to  merge  their  philosophy  into  mining  speculations,  and  bury 
their  reputation  in  the  rubbish  of  a  mine  of  either  asphaltum  or  coal. 
Our  author's  j)aper  dedicates  the  "  Albert  Coal  Mining  Company." 
His  remarks  nevertheless,  are  not  addressed  to  the  president,  secre- 
tary, or  any  member  of  that  body,  but  to  Edward  Allison,  there 
being  no  such  company  incorporated,  known,  or  recognised,  unless 
it  bo  in  the  minds  of  IVIessrs  Cook  &  Smith,  and  a  few  other  specu- 
lators with  whom  tlie  Doctor  has  acknowledged  an  association. 

By  reference  to  authentic  records,  it  appears  that  as  long  ago  as 
1840,  and  during  his  geological  survey  of  New  Brunswick,  Dr. 
Abraham  (lesner  discovered  an  extensive  bituminous  distiict,  a  part 
of  which  extends  into  the  parish  of  Hillsboro'  in  that  provmce. 
Some  of  the  rocks  were  represented  as  being  bituminous,  and  others 
as  a  variety  of  cannel  coal ;  and  as  early  as  the  above  period  they 
were  recommended  by  Dr.  Gesner  for  the  manufacture  of  gas. 
Some  years  afterwards.  Prof.  Johnston,  who  made  an  agricultural 

*  Gesner's  Geological  Kepoits  of  New  Bmiiswick,  1810,  p.  (i7. 


1  -S^O-f  5  b 


<-j 


rtiirvoy  of  the  same  province,  do^nibea  tlio  rock  as  "  u  hard  bilumi- 
iious^  shale,  containirifr  lrat?moiil.s  of  bitumen,"  and  the  asphaltum 
itself  lie  denominated  solid  UitnmtMi  * 

According  to  official  docinnents  in  the  Patent  Office  at  Wash- 
ington.t  Dr.  GeHtier  invented  a  mode  of  converting  asphaltum  of  all 
kinds  into  giis,  und  a  patent  was  granted  to  him  therefor,  in 
January,  1S;jU.  Up  to  that  peri(jd,  the  asphaltum  of  New  Brunswick 
had  remained  unnoticed  and  unworked,  a  fact  that  is  established  by 
a  decision  of  the  Master  of  the  Rolls  in  that  province;  but  after  hia 
discovery  was  made  public,  a  licence  to  work  mines  at  Hillsboro' 
vvas  granted  by  the  Government,  and  a  deposit  of  the  asphalte  has 
since  been  opened,  and  shipments  of  the  article  have  commenced. 
In  the  provinces  the  old  feudal  system  continues  to  lay  its  burdens 
upon  the  people,  and  besides  the  precious  metals,  coal,  and  even  pine 
trees  hr  ve  been  reserved  to  the  Crov/n.  As  the  bitumen  or  asphaltum 
was  not  reserved,  it  passed  by  the  grant  of  the  land  to  the  owners  of 
the  soil.  To  evade  the  liberty  given  to  the  farmer  by  the  non- 
reservation  of  asphaltum,  the  holders  of  the  Government  license  at 
once  called  the  asphaltum — coal;  and  they  have  spared  no  pains  nor 
expense  to  maintain  the  new  name,  to  strengthen  their  untenable 
position ;  and  although  Dr.  Jackson  had  analysed,  and  proved  the 
substance  to  be  Asphaltum,  they  now  enlist  him  in  their  cause,  and 
he  declares  it  to  be  Coal.  The  Gas  Company  at  Halifax  also  unite 
in  the  evasion ;  iov  if  the  asphaltum  upon  which  Dr.  Gesner's  patents 
rest  can  be  employed  under  the  name  of  coal,  the  material,  as  they 
suppose,  can  be  used  by  them  for  gas  without  reference  to  his  inven- 
tion, or  the  protection  afibrded  him  by  law.  The  interests  of  the 
owners  of  the  soil  are  therefore  blended  with  those  of  the  inventor  or 
patentee;  and  they  are  based  upon  the  fact,  that  the  material  in 
question  is  truly  asphaltum,  and  that  the  changing  of  its  name  from 
Asphaltum  to  Coal,  for  the  purpose  of  divesting  them  of  their  rights 
of  property,  is  unjust,  unlawful,  and  unconstitutional.  Actions  at 
law  have  been  brought  by  those  claiming  the  right  of  property 
under  the  grants  of  land  from  the  Crown,  against  those  holding 
possession  under  an  imperfect  mining  license,  and  under  a  false  name 
of  the  substance  known  to  be  bitumen  or  asphaltum.  As  it  has 
already  been  decided  by  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Province,  that 
there  is  "  no  right  of  entry"  under  such  licences,  it  is  very  obvious 
upon  whom  the  cost  must  fall ;  and  if  the  granters  of  the  land  have 
no  claim  to  the  asphaltum,  neither  have  they  any  right  to  the  soil  of 
the  fields  they  cultivate,  and  for  which  they  paid  to  the  Sovereign  an 
ample  price. 

It  is  in  this  position  of  affairs  the  "  Reports"  of  Dr.  Jackson 
appear.  Before  the  claims  of  the  patentee  were  published,  disputes 
had  arisen,  or  any  lawsuits  had  been  instituted.  Dr.  Jackson  examines 
and  analyses  the  substance,  and  proclaims  it  "  a  beautiful  variety  of 
aspkaltum ;    but    after  law  proceedings  are  commenced,  and   while 

*  Nolos  oil  iNorlli  Aiueiicii,  hy  J.  !•'  \V.  .lohiiBtou,  f.o.s.,  &,c.  BoBton,  1851 
Vol.  ii.  p.  !)(;. 

t  See  rmeiit  Office  Iteiioits  for  1850. 


L  hard  bitumi- 
lie  asphaltum 

ice  at  Waah- 

haltum  of  all 

therefor,   in 

!W  Brunswick 

established  by 

but  after  his 

at  Hillsboro' 

asphalte  has 

commenced. 

y  its  burdens 

ind  even  pine 

or  asphaltum 

he  owners  of 

by  the    non- 

ent  license  at 

no  pains  nor 

eir  untenable 

d  proved  the 

eir  cause,  and 

fax  also  unite 

sner's  patents 

terial,  as  they 

!  to  his  inven- 

terests   of  the 

le  inventor  or 

e  material  in 

s  name  from 

if  their  rights 

Actions  at 

of  property 

those   holding 

r  a  false  name 

1.     As  it  has 

!*rovince,  that 

very  obvious 

the  land  have 

to  the  soil  of 

Sovereign  an 

Dr.  Jackson 
shed,  disputes 
;son  examines 
ful  variety  of 
id,  and   while 

:.     Boston,  1851 


and 
man 


IS 


they  are  pending,  he  becomes  intimate   with  the  speculators 
holders  of  the  licence,  and  announces  that  it  is  Coal !     To  the 
of  science  the  material  is  asphaltum ;    to  the  hungry  schemist  it 
changed  first  into  Asphaltic  Coal,  and  then  into  Coal  itself. 

The  truth  and  correctness  of  Dr.  Jackson's  present  statements 
are  denied  by  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia,  tlie 
Polytechnic  Institution  of  London,  the  late  llichard  C.  Taylor,  Dr. 
Ure,  and  many  more  of  the  most  eminent  scientific  men  of  the  age. 
The  decision  of  those  public  bodies,  and  a  number  of  certificates  from 
distinguished  individuals,  will  appear  at  the  close  of  this  Review. 

We  therefore  turn  to  Dr.  Jackson's  Reports  in  the  spirit  ot  candid 
examination,  to  inquire  how  far  he  has  supplied  any  reason  for  his 
extraordinary  vacillancy ;  but  no  motive  can  be  found  for  his  self- 
condemning  paper,  except  one,  which  will  be  as  well  understood  as 
if  it  had  been  expressed.  After  giving  a  full  account  of  his  exami- 
natioiis,  our  author  states  that  his  subject  "has  embarrassed  men 
highly  distinguished  in  the  ranks  of  science."  who,  under  *'  erroneous 
impressions,"  have  attributed  to  "his  coaZ"  properties  which  it  does 
not  possess,  but  which  belong  to  coal-tar,  -pitch,  and  asphaltum. 
Such  men  therefore,  according  to  his  statements,  cannot  distinguish 
between  coal,  coal-tar,  pitch,  and  asphaltum  ;  this  kind  of  discernment 
being  only  possessed  by  himself,  or  other  persons  having  an  interest 
in  the  mine  of  Hillsboro'. 

Employing  for  the  moment  his  own  words,  taken  from  the  pub- 
lished declarations  and  analysis  of  Dr.  Jackson  himself,  and  the 
united  testimony  of  many  distinguished  persons,  "  I  shall  be  able  to 
prove,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  scientific  men,  that  the  Albert  Asphal- 
tum is  in  true  veins,  included  in  asphaltic  shales ;  and  from  the 
absence  of  the  fossils  that  accompany  coal,  and  the  presence  of  those 
that  belong  to  other  formations,  the  veins  are  not  in  a  coal  field,  and 
are  of  more  recent  origin  than  the  rocks  that  embrace  them.  "  I  shall 
next  show  conclusively,"  and  that  by  Dr.  Jackson's  own  analysis, 
"  that  the  substance  in  question  is  really"  Asphaltum,  of  an  unusually 
"beautiful  variety;"  (his  own  words  again)  and  that  "it  cannot  be 
confounded  with  Coal,  and  will  not  serve  for  the  uses  to  which  that 
substance  is  applied  ;"  so  that  neither  in  a  scientific  or  practical  point 
of  view  is  it  any  variety  of  Coal. 

Dr.  Jackson  states,  (page  4)  that  he  also  learned,  by  his  own 
examination,  that  no  such  substance  as  soft  asphaltum  or  naptha  is 
found  in  the  Albert  coal,  or  anywhere  near  it ;  and  then  quotes  a 
private  letter  from  Dr.  Gesner,  which  he  endeavors  to  make  it  appear 
was  written  to  mislead  him. 

The  letter  of  John  Edgett,  Esq.,*  contained  in  this  Review,  will 
satisfy  the  reader  that  Dr.  Jackson's  assertions  and  suspicions  are 
unfounded. 

At  the  fourth  page  of  the  Reports,  Dr.  Jackson  relates,  that 
"  some  time  after  his  analysis  had  been  reported,  in  the  spring  of 
1850,"  (at  which  time  he  called  the  article  "  a  beautiful  variety  of 


"    See  Aoup-^ix. 


) 


6 

Anphaltum")  a  cargo  of  the  Coal  vvdH  brouglit  to  Boston,  nnd  samples 
of  it  were  analyseif  by  liis  colleague,  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Hays,  of  that 
city,  who  designated  it  as  Coal,  and  lecommcnded  it.  as"  "ho  had 
done  for  the  production  of  gas  for  illumination."  Now  before  that 
cargo  had  arrived  at  Hoston,  Dr.  Gesner  had  obtained  liis  patent  for 
making  the  asphaltum  into  gas,  at  Washington  ;  and  had  absolutely 
lighted  that  city  wilh  gas  made  from  the  asphaltum  of  Hillsboro'. 
The  egg  experiment  of  Columbus,  given  at  page  19  of  his  Reports, 
certainly  comes  with  a  bad  grnco  from  such  a  quarter;  but  wo  had 
almost  forgotten  that  Dr.  Jackson  once  claimed  the  discovery  of  the 
Electric  Telegraph,  despite  the  claims  of  Bain  and  Morse. 

(From  the  argvment  nf  B.  R.  Cur/u,  Esq.  in  ease  of  F.  O.  J.  Smith  v.  Downing,  and 
others  in  the  Circutt  Court  of  th^  United  S.ates  at  Boston.  Morse  Elcctro-Magneiie 
Telegraph  Company.) 

"  May  it  please  your  honor,  I  come  now  to  whnt  id  not  a  pleasnnt  duty,  in  that 
part  of  the  case  which  requires  nn  exhibition  of  the  facts  as  |)roveii.  But  Ilio 
charge  is  made,  timt  I'rof  Morse  surreptitiously  obtained  this  invention,  and  went 
to  the  patent  office  and  swore  he  wiis  iho  original  inventor,  when  it  wiis  wholly 
untrue,  and  when  it  was  true  tlint  another  had  made  the  invention,  and  he  knew 
that  other  and  not  himself  to  be  the  inventor. 

"  This  charge  rests  on  the  testimony  of  Dr.  Charles  T.  .Tackson  alone.  He 
claims  to  have  made  this  invention ;  to  have  suggested  it  in  all  its  details  to 
Morse;  and  thai  it  belsngs  to  him, 

"The  question  here  presents  itself— and  we  propose  to  meet  it  fully it  this 

true?  ' 

"Your  honor  well  knows,  there  is  a  class  of  men,  possessed  of  active  and 
suggestive  minds,  through  which  a  great  nnn)ber  of  crude  projects  are  constantly 
passing,  excessively  egotistical,  and  vain  almost  to  au  insane  degree,  who  no 
sooner  hear  of  a  great  invention,  with  the  making  of  which  they  have  had  some 
remote  and  accidental  connection,  than  they  seize  upon  it  and  claim  it  as  their 
own.  There  are  some  such  men  in  most  large  communities.  We  see  them  in 
the  trial  of  patent  causes.  In  the  trial  of  the  Woodworth  patent,  there  appeared 
a  man,  for  aught  I  know  otherwise  respectable,  who  swore  that  he  not  (uily 
informed  Woodworth  how  to  make  his  niiichine,  but  actually  embodied  it  iur  him 
in  wood  and  iron,  and  took  it  down  to  New  York  and  there  set  it  in  motion.  But 
ou  investigation  his  story  was  utterly  incredible,  and  was  treated  accordingly  by 
the  court  and  jury. 

"  This  man,  Doctor  Jackson,  belongs  to  this  same  class  of  men;  and  I  mean  to 
show,  that  while  he  is  thus  disposed,  he  has  so  little  perception  of  the  nature  of 
facts,  that  when  examined  he  involves  himself  in  inextricable  falsehoods  ! 

"  I  understand  the  force  of  what  I  now  say,  and  it  is  out  of  his  own  mouth,  and 
from  his  own  pen,  that  I  sliall  demonstrate  the  correctness  of  it." 

At  page  6  he  says  that  the  other  "gentlemen  were  to  be  allowed 
every  facility  in  satisfying  themselves  concerning  the  geological  situa- 
tion of  the  mine ;  but  it  was  distinctly  understood,  that  he  was  not 
to  be  connected  with  them  in  any  joint  commission."  The  gentlemen 
he  refers  to  were,  it  is  true,  allowed  to  enter  the  mine  :  other  geolo- 
gists, who  have  since  sought  to  obtain  some  knowledge  of  the  place 
and  its  strata,  have  been  forbid  to  enter  or  to  walk  over  the  premises. 
This  order  has  been  most  strictly  enforced  since  a  vein  of  soft  asphal- 
tum was  struck,  and  the  branching  veins  were  so  numerous  as  to 
attract  attention.  There  never  was  any  desire  on  the  part  of  the 
plaintiff  in  the  action,  to  permit  Doct.  Jackson  to  act  under  "a  joint 
commission."  The  proposition  was  that  of  Doct.  Jackson  himself, 
and  was  refused  ;    and  as  to  the  "  geological  information  concerning 


II,  and  Hainples 

MayH,  of  that 

,   ns  "  ho  hiiil 

ow  before  tlmt 

I  liis  patent  for 
latl   absolutely 

of  Hillsl)oro'. 
)f  liis  Rejiorts, 
;  but  wo  had 
icovery  of  the 
irso. 

V.  Downing,  and 
V  Ehctro-Magnclic 

<iint  duty,  ill  tlmt 
ii'overl.  But  the 
outi(jii,  anil  went 

II  it  wiiH  wholly 
u,  iiiid  hu  knew 

ksoii  alone.  He 
all  its  dotails  to 

t  it  fully — 24  this 

id  of  active  and 
ts  are  conatantly 
degree,  who  uo 

have  had  some 
claim  it  as  their 

We  see  them  in 
;.  there  appeared 
that  he  not  only 
bodied  it  for  him 

in  motion.  But 
I  accordingly  by 

i;   and  I  hiphu  to 
of  the  nature  of 
loodi ! 
own  mouth,  and 

to  be  allowed 
ological  situa- 
it  he  was  not 
'he  gentlemen 
other  geolo- 
",  of  the  place 
the  premises, 
of  soft  asplial- 
imerous  as  to 
e  part  of  the 
nder  "  a  joint 
ikson  himself, 
m  concerning 


the  mine,"  ho  otTered  Profs.  Taylor  iin«l  llobb ;  it  iu  probablo  that 
they  duly  estimated  the  offer,  for  he  acknowledged  to  them,  as  well 
as  to  other  gentlemen  since,  that  the  material  was  "  a  mass  injected 
from  beneath ;"  an  injected  vein  ! 

In  order  to  illustrate  the  anomalous  position  Dr.  Jackson  has 
allowed  himself  to  be  allured  into,  and  has  the  temerity  at  present 
to  occupy,  it  is  only  necessary  to  place  before  the  reader,  his  analysis 
of  the  asphaltum,  as  it  has  appeared  in  Silliman's  Journal,  the  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  and  other  peri- 
odicals of  the  United  States  snd  the  British  ColonioB. 

\_From.  the  Britiih  Colonitt,  May  2,  1850.] 
{Sec  alto  Pro.  Boiton,  S.  N.  Hist. ;  April,  1850,  p.  '^79.) 

"  New  Brunswick  Asi-haltum. — The  following  uxtruct  wo  take  fnnn  the  New 
Brunswick  Courier  v>i  the  27th  ul».  It  rolutCH  to  the  material  which  has  ii ci-utly 
been  brought  to  Halifax,  viz  :  The  Bitumen  or  Asphaltum  from  which  Dr.  Gi  niii;r 
obtains  his  Kerosene  Gas,  and  its  existence  in  New  Brunswick  is  notind  ni  that 
gentleman's  Geological  report  of  1810.  The  mineral  will  in  duo  time,  wo  ho[>c, 
have  the  effect  of  cheapening  Gas  in  this  city : — 

"'Chemical  Analysis  of  Asphaltum  kkom  Nkw  Bhunswick,  nr  0.  T. 
Jackson  — On  the  Kith  last  March,  Henry  W.  Fuller,  Bjsq.,  of  Boston,  sent  me  a 
box  of  specimens  of  a  new  kind  of  fuel  recently  discovered  in  New  Brunswick. 
It  was  regarded  as  cannel  coal  of  a  peculiar  kind. 

"' This  substance  proved  to  be  a  very  beautiful  variety  of  tt8i)haltniii.  It  is 
jet  black,  glossy,  and  iree  from  smut.  It  breaks  with  a  broad,  conchoidal  fracture, 
like  obsidian,  and  presents  a  brilliant  surface. 

" '  It  is  a  little  softer  than  rock  salt,  which  scratches  its  surface.  Its  specific 
gravity  is  1,107. 

•' '  It  softens  and  melts  when  exposed  to  heat  in  close  vessels.  When  inflamed 
it  does  not  run,  but  burns  freely  with  a  bright  yellow  flame  and  a  little  smoke. 
Uoated  in  a  glass  flask,  it  pives  oflf  an  abundance  of  bituminous  liquid  analogous 
to  petroleum,  and  leaves  a  very  light  and  bulky  coke,  of  a  brilliant  black  color 
and  voiy  porous.  When  exposed  to  heat  in  a  covered  platinum  crucible,  an 
abundance  of  carburetted  hydrogen  gas  is  given  off,  which  burns  with  a  large  and 
brilliant  yellow  flam       aving  a  high  illuminating  power. 

"'  The  asphaltum  is  but  slightly  acted  upon  by  alcohol  or  by  ether,  yielding 
a  little  yellowish  matter,  which  is  obtained  by  evaporation  of  the  solution.  Oil 
of  turpentine  dissolves  a  considerable  quantity  of  usphaltnm,  forming  a  varnish 
such  as  is  used  by  engravers. 

"  '  Weighed  portions  of  the  asphaltum  were  taken  for  analysis,  and  on  being 
heated  in  a  covered  crucible,  so  as  to  expel  all  the  volatile  matter,  the  coke 
remained,  and  was  weighed.    The  results  of  two  trials  gave — 
1st.  2d. 

58.5  of  volatile  matter.  58.8  of  volatile  matter. 

41.5  of  coke.  41.2  of  coke. 


100.0 


100.0 


"  '  The  coke  obtained  was  burnt  on  a  platinum  tray  placed  in  a  red  hot  muffle, 
and  left  0.47  per  cent,  of  ashes  of  a  deep  red  brovvu  color,  consisting  of  per  oxid 
of  iron,  with  a  little  oxid  of  manganese  and  silica  and  alumina. 

"  '  The  discovery  of  this  valuable  fuel  so  near  to  our  borders,  is  a  matter  of 
congratulation.  The  bod  is  stated  to  be  from  four  to  six  feet  in  thickness ;  and  if 
it  holds  out  for  any  considerable  extent,  it  must  supply  an  enormous  amount  of 
fuel.  This  substance  is  particularly  valuable  for  the  production  of  gas  for  illumi- 
nation. It  is  also  the  best  fuel  for  steam  engines,  and  is  particularly  well  adapted 
for  the  use  of  locomotive  steam  engines  on  railroads. 

"  'I  have  not  visited  the  spot  where  this  asphaltum  is  found ;  but  having  seen 
it  associated  with  gypsum  from  Dorchester,  N.  B.,  am  led  tobolieve  that  it  occurs 
above  the  coal  tbrmatiou  of  New  Brunswick.'" 


8 


Having  shewn  a  partiality  for  tableu  and  comparisons,  it  will 
be  out  of  place  to  exhibit  some  of  Dr.  Jackson's  opinions  at  diffo 
times,  according  to  that  method : — 


not 
different 


Dr.  Jaekion'i  Declarationt  at  a  Chemiit,  in 
1850,  and  prior  to  Law  Proceedingt. 

"  I  HAVR  seen  it"  (the  aiphallum)  "aii.to- 
ciatetl  with  the  gypitum  frum  Dorclies- 
tec,  New  Hniiiswick,"  ntid  am  led  to 
believe  that  it  occiira  above  the  coal 
turmation  of  New  Briiniwick. 

"Itsol'teiiB  and  melts  when  exposed 
to  heat  in  clone  vegsuitt. 

"Ita  specific  gravity  is  1.107. 

"  Oil  of  turpentine  dinaolves  a  con- 
aiderable  quniitity  of  the  asphaltum, 
fonning  a  varnish  such  as  is  used  by 
engravers. 

"  It  aollens  and  melts  when  exposed 
to  heat  iu  close  vessels. 

"  This  substance  proved  to  be  a  very 
beautiful  variety  of  Asphaltum." 


Dr.  Jackton'i  Declarationt  at  an  Advocate, 
»n  a  company  in  1851,  and  tubtetiuent  to 
Lav  Procctdingi. 

Thk  Albert  Coal  is  a  true  bed,  included 

in  the  bituminous  shales   of  the   true 

coal  furniation. 


"  It  does  not  melt  and  run. 

"  Specific  gravity  of  ditterent  speci- 
mens, from  1.0916  to  l,lli!0. 

"  It  yields  so  little  Hoiuble  matter,  ns 
to  be  of  no  commercial  value  in  the 
making  of  varnishes. 

"  It  is  not  fusible. 

"  From  careful  examinations,  with 
every  possible  advantage  for  arriving  at 
the  truth,  I  cannot  find  any  reason  to 
regard  the  Albert  Coal  as  any  variety  of 
Asphaltum !" 

Many  more  and  similar  quotations  from  Dr.  Jackson's  writings 
upon  this  subject,  might  be  quoted,  were  it  necessary  to  enlarge  upon 
such  contradictions.  In  a  communication  made  by  him  to  the  Boston 
Society  of  Natural  History  a  few  months  ago,  he  denominated  the 
Asphaltum,  Asphaltic  Coal.  What  appellation  another  season  may 
bring  forth  remains  unknown.  The  large  fossil  specimen  mentioned 
by  him  as  coming  from  the  vicinity  of  the  Asphaltum  deposit,  is  now 
known  to  have  been  brought  from  the  South  Joggins  in  the  province 
of  Nova  Scotia. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  follow  the  author  of  the  Reports  through  his 
narrative  of  a  hasty  visit  to  the  Albert  mines,  nor  the  various  experi- 
ments he  has  made  to  prove,  that  what  he  had  first  declared  by  an 
elaborate  analysis  to  be  " a  very  beautiful  variety  of  Asphaltum"  is 
now,  by  a  change  of  cij-cumstances  not  free  from  suspicion,  true 
Coal.  But  that  persons  who  have  never  examined  the  geology  of 
the  distiict  may  not  be  led  into  error,  by  facts  partially  disclosed, 
misrepresentations,  and  sophistry,  the  arguments  upon  which  Dr. 
Jackson  founds  his  contradiction  of  himself  may,  even  on  his  own 
account,  be  submitted  to  an  unprejudiced  examination ;  and  if,  as  it 
is  believed,  they  have  been  widely  published,  to  in^  n nc'  the  minds 
of  juries  at  the  approaching  trials,  justice  demands  that  then,  fallacy 
should  be  exposed. 

Dr.  Jackson  first  endeavors  to  make  it  appear,  that  the  material 
in  dispute  occurs  in  coal  measures,  and  therefore  must  be  Coal. 
Now,  assuming  the  premises  to  be  as  sound  as  it  will  be  proved 
hcreatrer  they  are  false,  if  there  be  anything  in  the  opinions  of  the 
learned  and  scientific,  asphaltum  would  be  more  likely  to  occur  in  a 
COB*  to.  :i..ition  than  in  any  other.    Of  the  vegetable  origin  of  asphal- 


9 


sons,  it  will  not 
lions  at  difibrent 


tiotiM  a$  an  Advocate, 
1 1 ,  and  ttUiMeifuent  to 

true  bed,  iiicliiiied 
ilmlea   of  the   true 


and  run. 

of  (litferent  speci- 

1 1,1  lao. 

Holulilo  matter,  im 
rciul  vulue  in  the 


laininntionH,  with 
tage  fur  hrriving  at 
Sud  any  reasuii  to 
tl  as  any  variety  of 

^kson's  writings 
to  enlarge  upon 
m  to  the  Boston 
lenominated  the 
ler  season  may 
men  mentioned 
deposit,  is  now 
in  the  province 

orts  through  his 

various  ©xperi- 

declared  by  an 

Asphaltum"  is 

suspicion,  true 

the  geology  of 

•tially  disclosed, 

pon   which   Dr. 

en  on  his  own 

. ;    and  if,  as  it 

nicv  ihr.  minds 

hut  thei.  fallacy 

hat  the  mateiial 
must  be  Coal, 
will  be  proved 
opinions  of  the 
^  to  occur  in  a 
rigin  of  asphal- 


tum tliure  unii  be  iiu  duubt.  "  About  seventy  years  ago,  a  spot  of 
land  on  the  western  const  of  Trinidad,  between  the  capital  and  an 
Indian  viilngi",  sunk  siidileiily,  iind  wns  immediately  replaced  by  a 
small  laki!  of  |iitcli  or  iisphaltiiin."  Ir,  is  beliovtid,  that  the  great  pitch 
lake  of  Trinidad  owon  its  origin  to  the  vust  (|uantitie8  of  "  woody  and 
vogiJtdblo  bodies"  vvliich  have  for  ages  been  carried  down  by  the 
waters  of  tlio  Orinoco .• 

"  The  fru(]ui)iit  occurrence  of  carthqunkeH,  and  other  indications 
of  volcanic  action,  in  thoso  parts,  loiids  countenance  to  the  opinion 
that  tiusso  vogotuldo  Hubstanoos  may  have  undergone,  by  the  agency 
of  HubterranoouH  fire,  tlioso  tninsformations  and  ciiemical  changes 
wliich  produce  petroleum  ;  and  tliis  may  by  the  same  causes,  be 
forced  up  to  the  surface,  whore  by  exposure  to  tiio  air,  it  becomes 
inspissiitii!,  and  forms  ihe  dilKircut  vnriories  of  pure  and  earthy  pitch 
or  asplialt'^i,!  so  al)undant  in  tlie  island."  t 

"  The  bituminouH  shales  sti  common  in  geological  formations  of 
iZ///t',v/7  ff^c,»,  as  also  many  strrailiod  dt^ijosits  of  bitumen  and  pitch, 
seem  clearly  to  attest,  that  at  former  periods,  springs  in  various  parts 
of  tlie  world  were  as  commonly  impregnated  as  now  with  bituminous 
matter,  curried  down  probably  by  rivers  into  lakes  and  seas."! 

Dr.  .lackson  has  represented  the  Asphaltum  of  Hillaboro'  as 
existing  on  tiie  border  of  an  ancient  loke,§  and  refers  to  the  remains 
of  fishes  found  in  the  adjoining  strata,  tlierciby  adding  to  the  abundant 
evidence  that  the  material  is  indeed  Asphaltum.  Ur.  Mantell  says, 
that  "  mineral  oil,  naptha,  and  petroleum  result  from  changes  effected 
in  vegetable  matter,"  utul  that  ^'mineral  oil  is  not/iing  more  than  the 
turpentine  oil  of  the  pines  of  Jormer  agi's."\\  "The  mineral  oils, 
naptha  and  petroleum,  are  also  sometimes  included  under  the  head 
of  bitumen.  These  substances  are  found  in  the  earth,  or  issue  from 
its  surface,  but  though  commonly  stated  as  minerals  they  are  all  of 
vegetable  origin. "^j 

In  reference  to  the  Asphaltum  of  New  Brunswick,  Prof  Johnston 
says,  "  Above  the  enormous  anthracite  deposits  of  Pennsylvania,  from 
which  in  some  remote  period,  vast  (juantities  of  bituminous  matter 
must  have  distilled,  we  should  not  have  wondered  to  find  such  a 
bed  as  this  of  Now  Brunswick.  Will  its  occurrence  at  this  locality 
justify  us  in  supposing,  that  such  beds  of  anthracite  actually  exist 
below  it  ?"**  Having  been  derived  from  vegetable  and  organized 
bodies,  Asphaltum  cannot  be  denominated  a  mineral,  in  the  proper 
acceptation  of  the  term. 

But  the  Asphaltum  of  Hillsboro',  New  Brunswick,  does  not  occur 
in  the  coal  measures,  as  represented  by  Dr.  Jackson  in  his  last 
Reports.  It  is  deposited  in  numerous  veins,  in  rocks  that  are  older 
and  lower  down  in  the  series  of  superposition  than  the  coal-bearing 

*  Lyell's  Principles  of  Geology,  vol.  1.  [i.  ;130.     'Itli  edit. 
t  Dr   Nugent,  Guol.  TninH.,vol.  i.  p.  (i7. 
t  Lyell's  I'riiiciples  of  Geulogy,  vol.  ili.  p.  331,  lih  edit. 

^  The  Liiko   A,s[)linltes  iiiid  the  i,'re;it  pitch  lake  of  Trinidad  are  familiar  in- 
stances of  the  occurreuce  of  Asphiiltuni  in  this  iiiiinner. 
II   Mantell's  Wondeio  of  Geology,  vol.  ii.  pp.  ()34,  635- 
II  PliillipB'  Geology  and  Mineinlogy. 
•*  Notes  on  Amcricn,  p.  f)8. 


10 


•trata,  and  it  is  ausoi^iateJ  with  rocks  in   which  no  wuikabie  beds  of 


has  classed  the  gypsum  beds  with  tlie  Now  Red  Sandstone,  a  group 
of*  strata  always  situated  far  above  the  coal ;  and  "  he  has  seen"  the 
Asphaltum  "  assoi-ialed  with  gypsum  from  Dorchester."  He  has 
also  been  led  to  believe,  that  it  occurs  above  the  coal  formation  of 
New  Brunswick.*  In-  the  map  that  accompanies  his  Reports,  the 
Aaphaltum  is  lepresented  as  being  surmounted  by  beds  of  gypsum, 
limestone,  and  conglomerate,  the  same  that  characterizes  all  the 
pypsiferous  deposits  of  the  provinces.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Boston 
Society  of  Natural  History,  he  stated  that  black  and  white  gypsum 
are  found  associated  with  the  Coal  (Asphaltum).  In  his  Reports  he 
affirms,  that  gypdum  is  evidently  one  of  the  carboniferous  group  of 
rocks.  It  is  no  longer  in  the  New  Red  Sandstone,  but  in  the  Coal 
group  ;  because,  forsooth,  it  is  fouijd  to  be  associated  with,  first 
Asphaltum,  and  then  Coal.  With  every  willingness  to  admit  even 
the  semblance  of  fact  that  can  be  gleaned  from  his  Reports,  it'is 
proper  to  state  that  the  Asphaltum  does  really  occur  beneath  the 
gypsifeious  formation  of  Hillsboro,'  and  forms  veins  of  various  thick- 
nesses, which  run  in  all  directions,  between  and  across  the  strata  of 
asphaltic  shale,  limestone,  sandstone,  and  conglomerate.  Neither  of 
these  rocks,  nor  their  equivalents  elsewhere,  embrace  any  productive 
coal  beds,  and  they  are  altogether  diflerent  in  their  lithoiogical  cha- 
racters from  the  coal  measures  of  Nova  Scotia  or  New  Brunswick. 

Sir  Charles  Lyell,  in  a  communication  made  by  him  to  the  Geo- 
logical Society  of  London,  "  on  the  Coal  formation  of  Nova  Scotia, 
and  on  the  age  and  relative  position  of  the  Gypsum  and  accompany- 
ing Marine  Limestone,"  has  enumerated  and  described  the  fossils, 
and  noticed  the  scules  of  ganoid  fish,  tVc.  contained  in  them.  He 
states  that  it  had  been  successively  proposed  to  refer  these  gypsiferous 
beds  of  Nova  Scotia  to  the  Trias,  and  to  tlie  period  of  the  Magnesian 
Limestone.  That  they  are  more  ancient  than  both  these  formations 
Mr.  Lyell  infers,  not  only  from  their  fossils,  but  also  from  their 
occupying  a  fuwer  position  than  the  productive  coal  measures  of 
Nova  Scotid  and  Cape  Breton.  In  proof  of  this  inferiority  of 
position,  "three  sections  are  referred  to;  first,  that  of  the  coast  of 
Cumberland,  near  Minudie,  where  beds  of  red  sandstone,  gypsum, 
and  limest(nie,  are  seen  dipping  southwards,  or  in  a  direction  that 
uot'd  carry  tliom  under  the  productive  coal  measures  of  the  South 
Joggins,  which  attain  a  thickness  of  several  miles."  The  coal 
measures  of  Pictou  also  repose  on  the  gypsiferous  red  sandstone  and 
conglomerate.  "In  Cape  Breton,  according  to  information  supplied 
by  Mr.  Brovvn,  the  gypsiferous  formation  occupies  a  considerable 
tract,  consisting  of  red  marl,  with  gypsum  and  limestone.  Near 
Sijilnei/,  these  irf/pt'ferous  strata  pass  henealh  a  formation  of  sandstone 
more  than  two  thousand  feet  thick,  upon  which  rest  conformably  the 
coal  measures  of  Sydney."] 

*  See  the  Aiiiily^iH  nf  Or.  Jdrksnn,  p.  13. 

t  l'i<iccoiii:i;;s  ;t'  llit-  ( i,.,i|.iMi,':il  Soci-ly  of  L'.uddn,  vr.l.  iv.  pait  i.  p.  185. 


u 


'  workable  beda  of 
tementa   are  quite 

any  reliance.  In 
■  Nova  Scotia,"  he 
ancistone,  a  group 
"  he  has  seen"  the 
:;hester."     He   has 

coal  formation  of 
3  his  Keports,  the 

heels  of  gypsum, 
iiacterizes  all  the 
ing  of  the  Boston 
and  white  gypsum 
In  his  Reports  he 
)niforous  group  of 
ne,  but  in  the  Coal 
ociated  with,  first 
lets  to  admit  even 

his  Reports,  it'  is- 
occur  beneath  the 
IS  of  vaiious  thick- 
across  the  strata  of 
lerate.  Neither  of 
lice  any  productive 
ir  lithoiogical  cha- 
^evv  Brunswick. 
f  him  to  the  Geo- 
n  of  Nova  Scotia, 
n  and  accompany- 
scribed  the  fossils, 
led  in  them.  He 
r  these  gypsiferous 
1  of  the  Magnesian 
h  these  formations 
It  also  from  their 

coal  measures  of 
this  inferiority  of 
at  of  the  coast  of 
andstone,  gypsum, 
1  a  direction  that 
ures  of  tho  South 
liles."       The    coal 

red  sandstone  and 
formation  supplied 
ies  a  considerable 

limestone.  Near 
lation  of  sandstone 
it  conjurmably  the 


V.  [lai  t  i.  p.  185. 


Mr.  Logan  found  tlie  remains  of  Palu'')nlscus  in  rocks  ot*  i!ie  Bay 
of  Fundy,  "which  he  considers  to  be  of  the  same  agn."  These 
rocks  have  been  classed  with  the  Permian  rocks  of  Russin,  which 
are  far  beneath  the  Coal,  and  also  contain  remains  of  Palajoiiiscus  in 
abundance.* 

These  facts  are  sustained  by  the  declarations  of  geologists  of  the 
highest  rank,  and  those  whose  names  Dr.  Jackson  has  quoted,  but 
whose  united  views  upon  the  subject  he  has  withheld,  doubtless 
because  they  are  t)pposed  to  his  declarations,  an'^  are  most  unfavorable 
to  his  purposes.  That  the  Asphaltum  of  Hillsboro'  and  the  rocks 
containing  it  occupy  an  anticlinal  ridge,  and  are  older  than  the 
gypsiferous  formation,  and  its  accompanying  limestone,  conglomerate, 
and  sandstone,  is  apparent  from  Dr.  Jackson's  own  map,  as  issued 
with  his  Reports.  On  the  south-east  side  of  the  mine,  and  the  whole 
flank  of  the  anticlinal  ridge,  tlie  strata  dip  south-easterly,  and  descend 
towards  and  beneath  the  Cumijerland  Coal  measures.  On  the  north- 
west or  opposite  side  of  the  mine  and  the  antichnal  ridge,  they  dip 
north-westerly  and  in  an  opposite  direction.  In  every  instance,  the 
asphaltic  rocks  and  asphalte  dip  beneath  the  gypsiferous  strata,  and 
every  rock  that  could  by  the  greatest  stretch  of  the  imagination  be 
referred  to  Coal  measures.  Tlie  testimony  and  maps  of  Professors 
Taylor  and  Robb,  and  Joseph  Smith,  Esq.,  agent  of  the  General 
Mining  Association  of  London,  all  record  and  attest  these  facts. 

A  line  drawn  in  a  north-easterly  and  south-westerly  direction,  or 
along  the  general  strike  of  the  strata  in  the  vicinity  of  the  mine,  and 
far  from  it  in  each  direction,  will  represent  the  course  of  the  anti- 
clinal ridge,  from  which  Dr.  Jackson  has  himself  marked  the  strata 
as  dipping  in  opposite  directions.  He  has  therefore  confirmed  the 
Maps  and  Reports  of  those  gentlemen,  and  at  the  same  time  stands 
self-refuted,  in  his  statements  regarding  the  geology  of  tlie  district. 
A  description  of  the  rocks  northward  he  has  carefully  avoided,  as  it 
would,  if  truly  given,  have  been  equally  unfavorable  to  his  purposes. 

The  above  mans  taken  together,  allbrd  a  section  which  is  conclu- 
sive, that  the  asphaltum  mine  is  an  iiijected  vein  in  an  anticlinal  ridge, 
and  not  a  bed  or  seam  of  ('onl  of  any  description.     See  Map  A. 

Thus  in  the  central  part  of  a  district,  composed  of  gypsum,  lime- 
stone, and  red  and  grey  sandstones,  all  of  greater  age  and  lower 
down  than  the  coal  measures,  we  have  an  uplifted  mass  of  asphaltic 
shales  and  sandstone,  and  pure  asphalte,  which  in  reality,  occupy  a 
position  lower  down  than  the  Old  Ked  Sandstone  as  it  is  now  classed  ; 
extending  along  a  line  of  country  at  least  to  the  distance  of  sixty 
miles,  and  containing  innumerable  veins  of  bhumen  or  asphaltum. 
Some  of  the.>e  asphaltic  shales  yield  seventy  gallons  of  naptha  per 
ton;  and  a  patent  has  boon  taken  out  very  recently,  to  convert  the 
mineral  tar  they  afford  to  useful  purposes. 

But  to  lay  the  whole  subject  before  the  geological  reader,  the 
following  section  lins  been  most  carefully  drawn  np  and  compiled 
from  the  labors  of  eminent  men  v.ho  have  explored  and  examined  the 
whole  district,  and  who  have  recorded  the  facts  as  therein  represented. 
See  Map  B. 

•  IVncpprliniji*  nf  tlio  Gpolnjirnl  Snri.'tv  (if  Lunclou,  No.  fJl.  p.  IC.i 


12 

1  •    '^u"  ^'^"°r»"g  a»'e  ihe  dips  of  fl.e  strnta,  as  give,,  by  D,-  Jackson 

urnse  f.  which  although  perhaps  not  to  be  clopLded  Lo.     at  once 

hew  the  inchnat.on  of  each  fo,mation  to  the  suuthwai/and  beneath 

the  coal  measures,  with  which  he  has  been  so  .lesi.ou.s  to  class  "hem 

Northward  of  the  Anticlinal  Axis. 

At  page  5  of  his  Reports,  Dip  of  Asplrilto  Mine,  N.  West 

<>  "  Dip  of  tlie  Wall  Ruck,  N.  West,  70  ,log. 

Southward  of  the  Anticlinal  Axis. 
At  page  9,  Cape  Demoiselle,  Dip  Soutl,,  10. le-.  to  15  .le-r 

Near  Edgetl's  South,  a  little  Weslwnrcl,  10  ,1.\..  .o  15  ik- 
M,lto,i'8  Brook,  D,p  South-CMStwanl,  ,.bout  lO^ieg.  '"' 

On  his  map  also,  he  has  marked  the  rocks  soutl,wai-rl  of  the  axis 

rfax7s"o?dirado.''''t  ^"^  ^'-"  «V^-  "Pl-'e  side  of  tt  Jbo 

Sn-  ClmileB  Lycll  infers,  „o^  only  fr„i„  ,  ,„  fo,,]],,  but  also  from 

o^No-^a-sf  :rs,st:z:":;:Jz^  >r'rf "  r  ~- 

Pro?  T  .""^^  ""  l""""'™  """l  m=«sures  of  ,l,e  J,  l„rs''. 

J'lj;  ;■t^-::a^T„  ?;^Lf?':;;- ,r^i;r;^r;£  Trrf^^^^^^^ 

beneath   the  gi-cy   coal    measures   of  New   Bnuisui^M      V     r 
.Toh:,'ston  has  also  -iven  a  dia£r,-,m     f  tl,!       ^""^^^'^'^       Professor 
glomerate    wliirh   vlv,?  ?  "^''^S'''"'  "^  ^1  e  g,ey  sandstones   and  con- 
behrthe'ble  if  T^  frequently  overlied  these  gypsiferous  marls, 
bIu   M,.  t  ?  Productive  coal  measures.t     Dr.  Gesner  Dr 

i-iu,.e  .|,o  Hi.„i,„r„.  m^J^'^a^rli':;  r ;  "/inis  rr?.'.:;  """u  ^: 

comes  down  close  upon  the  granite,  and  therefore  he  wi   u.l  Is  from 

*   11)1(1.  viil.  li.  |i.  s,').  '  '  ' 


iven  by  Dr.  Jackson 
iiilecl  upoi),  at  once 
tlnvard  and  beneath 
siioiis  to  class  them, 
is. 

!8t,  70  (leg. 


iltg.  •()  15  des. 
10  iieg. 

Jtliward  of  the  axis 
te  side  of  the  line 

•ssils,  but  also  from 
•tive  coal  measures 
formations  are  be- 
Istone,  gypsum,  and 
ection  which  would 
of  the  Joggins,"* 
red  conglomerate 
ypsum;  upon  this, 
e)  sandstones,  &c;t 
um,  the  limestone, 
s  order  are  found 
swick."  Professor 
iiidslones  and  con- 
gypsiferous  marls, 
i:  Dr.  Ge.sner,  Dr. 
dec!  the  same  facts, 
veen  the  asphaltic 
der  than  the  coal 
ted  at   a  depth  of 

:kson  has  pictured 
rhoiisand  acres,  to 
ion's  lease."  It  is 
imestone,  gypsum, 
y,  at  one  point  it 
e  he  witholds  from 
coal  basin  /"  and 
the  pitch  lake  of 
nd  the  pakeoniscus 
leir  native  element 
as  saleable  in  the 
A)ulis,"  advertised 


iv.  jini-t  i.  No.  0'}. 


13 

But  this  "curiously  crushed  coal  basin"  as  dotted  out  on  Dr. 
Jackson's  maps,  is  only  a  very  small  portion  of  an  asphaltic  formation 
that  extends  along  the  northern  base  of  the  granitic  and  sienitic  hills 
running  away  to  the  south-west.  It  extends  from  Westmoreland, 
along  the  south  side  of  Sussex  Vale,  to  the  sources  of  Hammond 
River,  and  is  over  sixty  miles  in  length.  At  New  Caledonia,  and 
beyond  the  limits  of  the  "  curiously  crushed  coal  basin,"  the  asphaltic 
rock  and  veins  of  asphaltum  are  found  resting  directly  upon  meta- 
morphic  rocks,  and  tliese  again  upon  granite ;  and  lands  at  that  place 
have  been  leased  from  the  owners  of  the  soil  for  the  purpose  of 
working  the  material. 

With  all  these  evidences  before  him,  and  in  defiance  of  all  his 
pi-eviously  written,  signed,  and  published  statements  to  the  contrary. 
Dr.  Jackson  now  proclaims  the  As])haltum  to  be  Coal,  and  spares 
neither  subterfuge  nor  misrepresentation,  to  accomplish  his  desi^rns 
against  the  plaintiff  in  the  lawsuits,  and  in  favor  of  his  fellow  min?ng 
speculators. 

It  would  not  be  necessary  to  advert  to  Dr.  Jackson's  various 
drawings  and  sections  of  the  Hillsboro'  asphalt  veins,  were  they  not 
so  many  misrepresentations  of  plain  facts.  Distorted  as  he  has  made 
those  facts  appear  however,  they  will  exhibit  enough  to  the  eye  of 
the  geologist  and  miner,  to  show  that  the  asphaltum  occupies  a  true 
vein,  crossing  the  strata  at  difierent  angles,  and  sending  off  small 
veins,  one  of  which,  at  page  7  of  his  Reports,  he  has  figured.  To 
account  for  the  crystalline  character  of  the  material,  he  calls  it 
"  crushed  coal,"  which  like  his  "  curiously  crushed  coal  basin,"  is  a 
new  term  in  science ;  and  he  has  figured  a  fault,  that  would  have 
required  an  increase  in  the  length  of  all  the  strata  connected  with 
It,  and  such  an  one  as  any  person  acquainted  with  mines  would  never 
have  dreamed  of.  His  "  remarkable  contortions  of  the  strata,"  with  a 
vein  of  asphalte  crossing  them  and  proceeding  from  a  central  mass, 
IS  very  clear  evidence  that  the  asphalte  was  injected  from  a  still 
greater  deposit,  and  therefore  does  not  occur  in  the  manner  of  coal 
nor  will  any  artifice  alter  its  character.  '  ' 

If  the  Asphaltum  did  really  exist  in  parallel  strata,  like  Coal,  it 
would  not  aid  his  cause,  for  the  Asphaltum  of  the  Val  de  Traver.s, 
and  m  parts  of  Trinidad,  is  stratified.  Dr.  Jackson  relijtes,  that  his 
"  observations  cut  ofi"  the  last  ray  of  hope  in  the  opposing  party," 
and  then  he  appeals  to  "scientific  men"  of  the  whole  world;  and 
again  he  says,  "1  knew  I  could  sustain  my  position  before  the 
scientific  world,  by  means  of  documents  from  the  hands  of  nature," 
Joe  Smith,  the  Mormon  prophet,  declared  thai  he  found  his  bible  in 
a  stone,  and  received  it  at  the  hands  of  nature ;  yet  even  this  is  not 
more  incredible  than  some  of  Dr.  Jackson's  statements,  or  what  he 
terms  his  curious  metamorphoses." 

At  page  12  of  his  Reports,  he  has  given  a  diagram  of  the  rocks 
in  order  of  succession.  This  is  a  document  he  certainly  did  not 
leceive  at  "  the  hands  of  nature,"  as  it  is  altogether  fictitious;  for  in 
the  drawing  he  has  given,  the  rocks  dip  directly  contrary  to  that 
marked  on  his  map,  and  the  country  referred  to.  On  the  following 
page  he  says,  "  I  do  not  undertake  to  give  any  representation  of  the 


m 


14 

disturbed  strata,  at  tho  crush  in  the  mine,  knowing  that  it  would  be 
quite  impossible  without  a  complete  book  of  drawings."  All  is  plain 
amd  regular  until  he  comes  to  the  mine,  and  then  all  is  confusion ; 
yet  even  here  he  found  a  "  hortus  siccus,"  the  shores  of  an  ancient 
lake,  and  its  fishes,  palm  leaves,  seaweeds,  &c.  Then  we  have  at 
the  same  place,  "remarkable  contortions  of  strata,"  "a  curiously 
crushed  coal  basin,"  "crush  in  the  mine,"  "curious  metamorphoses," 
"  crimping  and  curving,"  and  all  the  indications  of  profound  ignorance, 
artifice  or  desiirn. 

It  is  now  necessary  to  inquire  into  the  fossils  represented  as  being 
found  in  the  rocks  by  Dr.  Jackson— where  they  are  found,  their 
nature,  and  the  testimony  they  aflbrd  in  support  of  his  first  or  his  last 
declaration  ;  or  namely,  whether  the  material  in  question  is  Asphaltum 
or  Coal  1  He  has  stated,  that  '•  not  one  of  the  fossils  found  in  the 
shales  of  the  Albert  Coal  Mines  was  ever  seen  in  any  rock  below  the 
regular  Coal  formation."  Now  what  has  he  asserted  these  fossils  tc 
be?  Why.  of  plants,  they  are  lepidodendra,  calamites,  and  palms, 
and  of  fishesk  "six  netv  species  of  the  genus  jjalaoniscus." 

But  fossils  identical  with  those  found  in  the  coal  group,  also  occur 
at  numerous  places,  in  undisputed  grauwacke,  a  formation  situated 
belovv  any  member  of  the  coal  group.  Sir  Henry  De  la  Beche  has 
described  them  as  existing  in  the  Grauwacke  of  Cornwall  and 
Devon.* 

M.  Burat,  in  treating  of  the  grauwacke  series,  states,  that  "fossil 
vegetables  are  not  abundant  in  it;  nevertheless,  the  upper  part  of 
the  system  sometimes  contains  them  in  great  quantity.  They  consist 
of  ferns  and  reeds,  analogous  to  those  fonnd  in  the  coal  mea8ures."t 
Professor  Hitchcock,  in  his  "  organic  remains"  of  the  grauwacke, 
describes  ferns,  acterophyllites,  equisetu7ns,  sigiilaria,  calamites,  and 
other  plants  found  in  the  coal  measure.s.|  Fossil  plants  similar  to 
those  described  by  Dr.  Jackson  are  found  in  the  grauwacke  of  New 
Brunswick,  and  are  well  known  to  exist  below  the  coal  formation. 
Will  Dr.  Jackson  hold  his  statements  to  be  true,  before  authority  like 
the  above?  He  doubtless  supposed  himself  cautious,  in  confining  his 
reckless  and  incorrect  assertion  to  the  "coal  formation." 

The  Coal  formation  embraces  in  the  following  order  dov/nwards, 

1st' — The  Coal  measures, 

2d — The  Carboniferous  Limestone, 

3d— The  Old  ]led  Sandstone. 
It  is  into  this  last  group,  that  the  asphaltic  rocks  and  the  Asphalte 
of  Hillsboro'  are  believed  to  have  been  forced  up,  and  they  contain 
no  fossils  like  those  of  the  rocks  in  contact  with  them.  In  different 
members  of  the  Old  Red  Sandstone,  the  vegetable  fossils  of  tiie  Coal 
measures  occur  very  frequently,  but  without  coal.  In  Nova  Scotia 
and  New  Brunswick  they  are  numerous,  and  have  been  described  by 
different  writers  upon  the  subject.     Several  expensive  trials  for  coal 

•  Report  on  the  Geology  of  Coriiwnll  mid  Devon,  by  H.  T.  De  la  Bechfi, 
p   132. 

t  Traite  de  Geognosie,  par  D'Aubisson,  sec.  vol.  torn.  ii.  p.  212. 
t  Prof.  Hitchcock's  Report  on  the  Geolopy  of  Mnsunchiisettd. 
$  See  Diagram  No.  2.  A.  and  B 


1 


[  tliat  it  •would  be 
ngs."  All  is  plain 
I  all  is  confusion ; 
ares  of  an  ancient 
Then  we  have  at 
ita,"  "  a  curiously 
ts  metamorphosen," 
rofound  ignorance, 

presented  as  being 
J  are  found,  their 
his  first  or  his  last 
istion  is  Asphaltum 
ssils  found  in  the 
any  rock  below  the 
ed  these  fossils  tc 
imites,  and  palms, 
scus." 

I  group,  also  occur 

formation  situated 

De  la  Beche  has 

of  Cornwall    and 

states,  that  "  fossil 
the  upper  part  of 
ity.  They  consist 
i  coal  mea8ures."t 
)f  the  grauwacke, 
•ia,  calamites,  and 
1  plants  similar  to 
•auwacke  of  New 
he  coal  formation, 
fore  authority  like 
IS,  in  confining  his 
ion." 
rder  downwards. 


and  the  Asphalte 
,  and  they  contain 
lem.  In  different 
fossils  of  the  Coal 
In  Nova  Scotia 
aeen  described  by 
ive  trials  for  coal 

H.  T.  De  In  Bechw, 

I.  212. 
■ttu. 


2d — Cupii  Demoiselle  - 
3(J — South  of  Edfjetl'ti  - 
4th — South  Joggiiid    -    - 


15 

have  been  made  in  the  rocks  in  which  Dr.  Jackson  found  his  coal 
fossils,  and  they  have  all  failed.§  They  are  far  beneath  the  coal 
measures,  and  therefore  unproductive. 

In  order  to  obtain  the  fossil  plants  Dr.  Jackson  has  so  elaborately 
figured  and  described,  he  had  only  to  step  from  the  margin  of  the 
asphaltic  formation  a  few  yards,  when  he  v/ould  be  upon  the  Old 
Red  Sandstone,  or  some  member  of  the  lower  division  of  the  Coal 
formation,  where  with  the  aid  of  a  party  of  miners,  he  has  collected 
a  few  scattered  fossil  plants,  and  these  he  has  represented  as  being 
associated  with  the  asphalte !  Nor  has  he  been  very  successful  in 
practising  this  deception.  He  found  his  calamites,  &c.  at  the  follow- 
ing places : — 

1st — Aloiif?  the  marsiu  oC  tlio  I)n;ok.     Distance  from  the  mine  unknown. 

-     -     -    Seven  miles  from  the  Asphalte  mine. 

-     -     I'oiir  miles  from  the  Asjjhulte  mini'. 
.     -    -     Fil'teen  miles  from  the  Asphalte  mine. 

Such  are  the  data  U])on  which  Dr.  Jackson  has  pretended  to  base 
his  conclusions.  In  a  note  at  pugo  S  of  his  Ileports,  much  stress  is 
laid  upon  a  stigmaria,  said  to  have  been  "  found  in  the  shales  at  the 
Albert  mines."  It  is  only  remarkable  that  more  stigmaria  had  not 
been  found  there,  of  those  tliut  are  reported  to  have  been  brought 
from  the  Joggins  coal  mine,  and  sraltcred  over  the  rubbish  of  the 
asphalte  pit.*  The  total  absence  in  the  Hillsboro'  Asphalte  mine,  of 
stigmaria  and  the  fossils  that  characterise  coal,  are  good  evidences 
indeed  that  the  material  is  not  coal.  Thus  are  all  the  labors  of  Dr. 
Jackson,  with  his  drawings  and  diagrams  of  fossil  plants,  which 
belong  to  the  lower  members  of  the  Cumberland  coal  formation, 
swept  away  by  the  presentation  of  a  few  plain  facts,  leaving  nothing 
for  the  reader  to  ponder  upon,  but  the  disingenuousness  and  folly  of 
their  author.  As  many  ex  parte  declarations  have  been  made  by  the 
author  of  the  Reports,  to  prove  that  his  original  Asphaltum  is  now 
Coal,  and  as  he  has  purposely  withheld  all  the  evidences  that  the 
mine  is  very  dirt'erent  from  any  coal  mine,  the  following  are  noted 
of  some  of  the  facts  he  has  concealed,  through  motives  held  evidently 
in  common  with  his  co-partners  in  the  speculation.  The  chief  of 
those  facts  are  recorded  by  Professois  Taylor  and  Robb,  and  other 
impartial  men  of  science. 

1st — That  the  vein  of  Asphaltum  is  situated  almost  perpendicular  in 
the  earth,  having  no  associate  parallel  seams,  like  Coal,  but  branch- 
ing veins  like  Asphalte.  At  the  surface  it  varies  from  a  few 
inches,  and  as  it  descends,  it  has  increased  \.o  fourteen  feet  in  thick- 
ness, the  thickness  still  increasing  downwards. 

2d — That  the  sides  of  the  vein  are  not  parellel  to  each  other,  as  in 
the  case  of  Coal.  The  bounding  strata  are  irregular,  diverging 
and  converging,  and  the  strike  of  the  adjoining  strata  is  not  parallel 
with  the  sides  of  the  vein. 

3d — 'i'he  material  of  the  vein  is  in  contact  with  the  broken  edges  of 
the  strata.  It  has  no  roof  nor  floor,  nor  overlying  nor  underlying 
fire-clay,  like  a  coal  seam. 

4tli — It  has  no  parallel  conformable  lamification  horizontally,   as  in 

*  See  Appendix,  Letter  of  J.  Edgctt,  Esr], 


16 

poul  and  coul-seanis ;   but  the  reverse,  the  divibional  plauea  beiiiM' 
/arranged  transversely,  as  in  the  Asphaltura  of  Cuba, 
/th— It  occupies  a  line  of  dislocation,  wedging  and  coming  to  a  point 
/     upwards. 
6th— -Neither  the  vein  nor  its  contiguous  strata,  contain  any  stigmaria, 

calmnites,  ferns,  sigillaria,  or  other  fosbil  plants  that  characterize 

coal  seams,  and  in  the  material  of  tlie  vein  there  are  no  traces  of 

vegetation  whatever. 
7th— From  the  principal  vein  numerous  smaller  veins  branch  ofl'  in 

all  directions,   crossing  the  strata,  and  sometimes  each  other,  in 

their  ramifications. 
8th — There  are  abundant  proofs  that  the  vein  was  injected  by  As- 

phaltum  in  a  liquid  state,  the  position  of  the  vein   and  the    vein 

Itself  being  analogous  to  veins  of  Asphalto  elsewhere. 
9th— Dr.  Jackson  agreed  with  Professors   Taylor  and   Robb,  at  the 

mine,  that  it  was  an  injected  vein.     An  injected  vein  cannot  be 

Coal. 

10th— The  dippings  of  the  strata  in  opposite  directions,  show  the  line 

of  fracture  which  has  been  filled  with  Aspiialtum 
11th— The   rocks  of   Hillsboro'  hold    the  position  and  possess  the 
characters   of  the    Old   Red   Sandstone,  and   not   those    of  Coal 
measures. 
12th — All  the  rocks  in  tlie  vicinity  of  the  Asphaltum  deposit  contain 
numerous  veins  of  thiit  substance,  of  variable  thicknesses,  crossing 
the  strata  and  each  other,  and  also  exhibit  the  evidences  of  having 
been  injected. 
13th— In  opening  a  new  shaft  into  the  mine,  a  tapering  vein,  from 
six  inches  to  one  foot  in  thickness,  was  struck,  that  formed  a  curve, 
crossing  tlie  strata,  and  it  was  followed  into  the  main  deposit. 
14th— A  vein  of  Asphaltum  was  also  opened,  that  was  so  soft  it  could 
be  indented  with  the  nail.     This  vein  the  miners  were  forbidden  to 
work,  and  with  others  it  was  concealed. 
15th— The  Asjihalte  now  raised  from  the  mine  will  melt  and  drop  at 
a  candle,  and  being  soluble  in  the  oils,  is  employed  by  the  inhabi- 
tants to  render  their  shoes  water])ro()f 
16th— (I reat  quantities  of  impure  Asplialte   and  asphaltic  shales  are 
found  in  the  district.     Some  of  these  yield  45  per  cent,  of  volatile 
matter. 
17th — That  the  rocks  containing   the  Asphaltum  are  not  the  grey 
sandstone,  and  are  altogether  unlike  those  including  the  Coal  of 
Nova  Scotia  or  other  places. 
18th — That  the  scales  and  other  remains  of  fishes  in  the  shales  of 
the  Asphnlte  mine,  are  In  no  manner  characteristic  of  coal  mea- 
sures, but  the  reverse,  as  no  sucli  deposit  has  ever  been  found  in 
contact  with  a  coal  seam. 
We  come  now  to  the  consideration  of  the  fossil  fishes,  as  repre- 
sented by  Dr.  Jackson  in  his  Reports.     It  has  been   deposed  by   the 
late  and  lamented  R.  (J.  Taylor,  that  "  there  are  no  particular  rock 
formations  which  indicate  or  arc  specifically  peculiar  to  Asphaltum 
veins.     Such  veins  are   in  no  way  connected  with  the  strata  which 
they  traverse,  in  relation  to  their  geological  age."   It  has  been  proved 


Uional  planes  being 

id  coming  to  a  point 

ntain  any  stigmaria, 
ts  that  characterize 
re  are  no  traces  of 

veins  branch  off*  in 
mes  each  other,  in 

A^as  injected  by  As- 
vein   and  the    vein 
('here, 
and   Robb,  at  the 
ted  vein  cannot  be 

iiions,  aho-w  the  line 

m 

)n  and   possess  the 

not  those   of  Coal 

:um  deposit  contain 
licknesses,  crossing 
vidences  of  having 

capering  vein,  from 
lat  formed  a  curve, 
main  deposit, 
was  so  soft  it  could 
1  were  forbidden  to 

ill  melt  and  drop  at 
Dyed  by  the  inhabi- 

isphaltic  shales  are 
3r  cent,  of  volatile 

are  not  the  grey 
luding  the  Coal  of 

s  in  the  shales  of 
ristic  of  coal  mea- 
vcr  been  found  in 

il  fishes,  as  repre- 
n  deposed  by  the 
no  particular  rock 
liar  to  Asphaltum 
th  the  strata  which 
It  has  been  proved 


17 

iiicontrovertibly,  that  the  Asphaltum  of  Hillsboro'  does  not  occur  in 
the  manner  of  coal,  and  is  not  in  any  way  associated  with  rocks  of 
the  coal  measures,  but,  on  the  contrary,  with  such  as  are  altogether 
different  from  them,  and  thousands  of  feet  lower  down  in  the  scale 
of  superposition.  The  fossils  therefore  thai  Dr.  Jackson  has  collected 
near  the  mine,  or  at  the  distance  of  several  miles  from  it,  have  no 
bearing  upon  the  subject  whatever.  The  drawings  and  descriptions 
of  thoso  fossils  ho  has  published,  as  though  they  were  new,  might 
therefore  bo  passed  by,  did  they  not  display  great  vanity,  as  well  as 
a  lack  of  candor.  So  far  as  they  affbi'd  any  testimony  in  the  case, 
that  testimony  is  in  proof  that  the  material  is  Asphaltum,  and  not 
Coal  of  any  description. 

Dr.  Jackson  has  claimed  the  discovery  of  fossil  fishes.  He  says, 
(page  5)  "  Tlics*^  discoveries,  so  new  and  extraordinary,  produced 
much  excitement  at  the  mine."  Now  it  is  well  known  at  Hillsboro', 
that  the  fossil  fishes,  coprolites,  &c.  he  treats  of,  had  been  collected 
by  other  geologists,  and  the  miners  themselves,  before  he  ever  visited 
that  parish.  The  same  had  also  been  found  in  the  Old  Red  Sand- 
stone of  Nova  Scotia,  before  the  Albert  County  Mine  was  ever 
known.  He  "  was  again  employed  to  visit  the  mine,"  and  one  of  the 
l)urposes  was  that  "  of  explaining  to  two  geologists,  who  had  been 
fcni  there  by  a  person  setting  up  claims  to  the  mine."  Whatever 
Dr.  Jackson's  knowledge  may  be  of  chemistry,  he  certainly  ean  have 
but  few  pretensions  to  geology ;  and  therefore,  was  not  competent  to 
explain  to  either  of  the  geologists  he  refers  to ;  and  without  reference 
to  his  arrogance,  those  gentlemen  decided  that  the  mine  did  not 
belong  to  any  coal  measures,  and  that  the  material  thereof  is  Asphal- 
tum. He  nevertheless  agreed  with  those  same  two  geologists  at  the 
mine,  that  the  material  ''was  an  injected  vein."* 

Of  the  fossil  fishes  Dr.  Jackson  says,  "  Alreadij  I  have  described 
six  new  species  of  the  genus  palaoniscus,  and  have  no  doubt  that  I 
shall  make  out  several  more"  Whether  these  fossil  fishes  belong  to 
that  genus  or  not,  has  no  reference,  under  the  circumstances,  to  the 
question  at  issue;  and  if  they  were  of  that  genus,  they  would  be  so 
many  evidences  against  the  cause  he  advocates  with  so  much  par- 
tiality. Upwards  of  one  hundred  species  of  fossil  fishes t  have  been 
found  in  the  Old  Red  Sandstone  alone. 

At  page  S  of  his  Reports,  Dr.  Jackson  says,  "  Now  I  confidently 
appeal  to  the  scientific  men  of  the  whole  worid,  and  ask  if  they  ever 
found  palu'oniscus  fishes,  lepidodendra,  and  palms,  in  rocks  so  low 
in  the  series  as  even  the  Old  Red  Sandstone  I"  It  has  been  proved 
already,  that  lepidodendra  and  palms  are  found  in  the  grauwacke,  a 
i-ock  beneath  the  Old  Red  Sandstone;  and  pahvoniscus  fishes  are 
found  in  the  Old  Red  Sandstone.  They  occur  in  the  "  Lower  New 
Red  and  (Carboniferous  group"  of  Sir  Ci)arles  Lyell,  which  embraces 
both  the  Magnesian  Liniesionc  and  the  Old  Red  Sandstone  beneath 
the   Coal    measures.^     They   have   been   found  in   Nova  Scotia,  by 


rouse. 


•  Soo  Dopositinn  of  R.  G.  Tnylor,  Esq.     King  &  Bird,  riiiladelphin,  p.  1-2. 

t  8eo  l*rol(.HS()r  A^'a.ssiz,  "  Mouo'T.-ipliie  cies  poissons  fossiies  dii  vieux  cres 


Seo  Lyell's  Elements  ol" Geology.     Second  Amer.  odli.,  1850,  pp.  Ui.^.  241. 


lb 


K^ 


Mr.  Logan  and  other  geologists,  as  also  ut  other  places.  Ichtholites 
ganoid  fishes,  and  fuci,  such  as  Dr.  J  acksoii  describes  as  belonging 
to  the  Asphaltura  of  Hillsboro',  are  common  in  the  Devonian  or  Old 
Red  Sandstone  group.  What  therefore,  would  be  the  reply  to  Dr. 
Jackson's  passionate  appeal  to  scientific  men  1 

"  Fifteen  species  of  a  genus  (paUroniscus)  occur  in  the  Magnesian 
Limestone  *  It  is  therefore  surprising  that  he  had  not  lifted  the 
Asphaltum  up  to  that  fijrmation. 

At  page  12  he  mentions  "  a  number  of  the  strange  JisJies  of  the 
Old  Red  Sandstone  of  Europe,"  as  laid  before  the  world  by  Hugh 
Miller  and  M.  Agassiz, 

Now  why  did  he  not  lay  the  fossil  fishes  of  the  Hillsboro'  Asphaltic 
shales  before  Professor  Agassiz,  near  at  hand,  and  whose  decision 
would  have  been  conclusive  upon  tlie  subject?  Why  also  did  he  not 
forward  the  specimens  lent  him  by  Professor  Taylor,  intended  for  the 
examination  of  the  celebrated  palncontologist,  but  keep  them  from 
his  inspection  ?  Dr.  Jackson  states,  "  that  there  is  not  any  difficulty 
in  distinguishing  fishes  of  the  cool  formation  from  those  of  the  Old 
Red  Sandstone;"  that  any  ingenious  person  can  do  it  without  an 
instructor!  But  to  determine  the  character  of  the  ichtholites  referred 
to,  he  appeals  to  ("  our")  lithographer,  who  engraved  all  M.  Agassiz's 
plates.  The  proof  that  the  fishes  are  of  the  genus  palaeoiiiscus,  thus 
rests  upon  the  opinion  of  his  engraver,  and  his  own  assertions,  which 
from  what  is  known  of  them  in  general,  are  not  worthy  of  much 
credit.  The  fossils  of  the  Old  Red  Sandstone  are  classed  with  those 
of  the  Carboniferous  group.  Ho  has  therefore  made  a  distinction 
without  a  difference.  Dr.  Jackson  concludes  that  his  former  "  beauti- 
ful variety  of  Asphaltum"  must  now  be  Coal,  on  account  of  his  "six 
new  sjiecies  of  the  gtnus  palceoniscus"  found  in  the  shales  adjoining  the 
"  curiously  crushed"  mine.  If  these  six  species  are  new,  they  have 
never  been  found  in  the  rocks  associated  with  Coal,  and  therefore 
must  be  considered  as  being  peculiar  to  Asphaltum,  and  he  has 
named  them  accordingly,  thus — 

•  Mantel's  VVouderB  of  Geology,  vol.  ii.  3rd  edit,  p.  477. 

Note. — Sir  Charles  Lycll,  in  his  Elements  of  Geology,  says  that  "  if  we  were  8o 
disposed,  on  pnlieontological  grounds,  to  divide  the  entire  fossiliferous  strata  into 
a  few  groups,  less  numerous  than  those  in  the  above  table,  and  more  nearly  co- 
ordinate in  value  than  tlie  sections  called  primary,  secondary,  and  tertiary,  wo 
might  perhaps  adopt  the  six  following  groups  or  periods;  at  the  same  time  I  may 
observe,  that  in  the  present  state  of  the  science,  when  we  have  not  yet  compareil 
the  evidence  derivable  from  all  classes  of  fossils,  not  even  those  most  generally 
dislribnted,  such  as  sheila,  corals,  and  fish,  such  generalizations  are  premature, 
and  can  only  be  regarded  as  conjectural  schemes  for  the  founding  of  large  natural 
groups. 

"  1.  Tertiary — From  the  Newer  Pliocene  to  the  Eocene  inclusive. 

"2.  Crktacious — From  the  Chalk  to  the  Wealden  inclusive, 

"3.  Oolitic — From  the  Oolite  to  the  Tiias  inclusive. 

•'4,  Upper  New  Red— Includiiig  the  Kumper,  Muschelkalk,  and  Banter 
iSandstein,  of  the  Germans. 

"o.  Lower  New  Red  anu  Carboniferous — Including  Magnesian  Limestone, 
Conl,  and  Old  Red  Sandstone. 

"(i.  Primary  Fossiliferous — From  the  Upper  Siluvian  to  the  oldest  Fossilife- 
roiis  rocks  inclusive. 


:^ 


19 


places.  Ichtholitea 
scribes  as  belonging 
iho  Devonian  or  Old 
be  the  reply  to  Dr. 

;ur  in  the  Magnesiau 
had  not  lifted   the 

»f range  fishes  of  the 
the  world  by  Hugh 

Hillsboro'  Asphaltic 
and  whoso  decision 
Vhy  also  did  ho  not 
rlor,  intended  for  the 
)ut  keep  them  from 
is  not  any  difficulty 
m  those  of  the  Old 
in  do  it  without  an 
s  ichtholites  referred 
ved  all  M.  Agassiz's 
us  palaeoiiiscus,  thus 
wn  assertions,  which 
lot  worthy  of  much 
e  classed  with  those 
I  made  a  distinction 
;  his  former  "  beauti- 
!  account  of  his  "  six 
shales  adjoining  the 
are  new,  they  have 
Coal,  and  therefore 
ballum,  and  he  has 


7. 

^y8  that  "  if  we  were  so 
I  I'osgiliferous  strata  into 
io,  and  more  nearly  co- 
dary,  and  tertiary,  wo 
at  tho  same  time  I  may 
have  not  yet  compareil 
n  thoso  most  generally 
zations  are  preniaturo, 
iinding  of  large  natural 

10  inclusive, 
isive. 


3chelkalk,    and   Bunter 


5  Magnesiun  Limestone, 


to  the  oldest  Fossilife- 


I'aloeoniacus  Alberti ;  for  Alliert  (^lunty. 

Palwoniscus  Brownii ;  for  Mr,  J^rown,  captain  df  the  minPfl. 

Palfsoniscus  Cairnsii ;  for  Mr,  William  Cairnes, 

PalsKoniscus  Cook  and  Smithii. 

Palu'oniscus  Allisonii. 

Palit'oniscus  .Jacksonii. 
It  remains  to  be  proved,  however,  that  fishes  of  the  above  names 
are  indications  of  coal. 

Few  books  there  are  that  do  not  contain  some  truth  ;  and  when- 
ever matter  of  fact  can  be  found  in  Dr,  Jackson's  "Reports,"  it  should 
receive  the  most  enlarged  consideration.  Tho  asphaltum  or  pitch 
lake  of  Tiinidad  has  ponds  of  pure  water,  in  which  there  are  num- 
bers of  fishes.  When  these  fishes  die,  they  become  literally  embalmed 
in  the  bitumen  and  bituminous  mud,  with  atiuf  tic  plants  and  the  small 
herbage  of  th«  shores.  The  remains  of  fijie.s,  fuci,  and  land  plants, 
are  therefore  found  embalmed  and  imbc'ded  iti  the  solid  asphaltum. 
This  is  the  actual  condition  of  things  at  the  Hillsboro*  Asphalte  mine, 
as  declared  by  Dr.  Jackson.  At  jiage  8,  he  says  "  I  doubt  not  that  fur- 
ther explorations  which  shall  reacii  the  shores  of  the  ancient  lake  in 
which  these  fishes  oiiginally  lived,  will  disclose  a  vast  abundance  of 
plants  that  must  have  grown  on  its  margin  and  fiinged  its  shores." — 
He  describes  the  fish  as  being  "  regularly  embalmed,  not  pctrifieclfish." 
"  The  animal  matter  is  found  Innh  in  the  scales  and  in  the  coprolites 
embalmed  by  the  bitumen,  which  so  richly  impregnates  the  shales  of 
the  mine."  One  would  suppose  that  while  writing  this  description  the 
Dr,  was  standing  on  the  border  of  the  great  lake  of  bitumen  of  Trini- 
dad, and  carefully  observing  the  operations  of  nature  as  they  there 
take  place. 

But  with  all  these,  and  many  more  such  corresponding  facts  placed 
fairly  before  him,  he  declares  his  own  analysis  to  be  untrue.  And  the 
material  of  the   Hillsboro'  mine  to  be  "  highly  bituminous  coal  !  !  !  " 

Note. — An  ainnsing  article  that  has  been  going  the  rounds  of  the  papers  "  down 
east,"  has  the  following  remarks:— "  Tiie  fosrtii  fishes  and  coprolites  of  which 
Dr,  Jackson  writes  so  often  and  so  elalxjrately,  were  collected  by  Mr.  .loseph 
Smith,  and  other  geologists,  long  before  he  ever  visited  the  mine.  Tho  discovery 
of  the  lepidodendra  and  palm  leaves  'in  the  lish  shales,'  and  'all  parts  of  the  fish 
strata,'  and  especially  the  '  blabbervorth'  is  his  own.  He  has  ascertained  that 
these  heteiy)cereal.tailed  lislies  swam  near  the  bottom.'  Then  there  are  his  'her- 
bivorous fishes  associated  with  them  that  ate  them,  and  the  excrements  of  soma 
tell  the  tah;  that  some  of  the  fishes  were  cannib-jls' !  Some  'struggled  against, 
adverse  fortune,'  erected  their  fins  strongly,  to  guard  themselves  from  some 
imaginary  swallower,  while  others  wiigglcd  and  squirmed  in  vain  to  free  them- 
selves from  the  tenacious  mud  which  einbnlmed  them  m  their  last  struggles'! 
Tuor  things,  what  a  time  they  had  of  it!  At  last  they  were  imbedded  iii  '  bitumen,' 
and  their  scales  are  tinted  yellowish  brown  by  the  'bituminous  matter'  in  a  coal 
muie.  How  woiulerful,  sublime,  and  scientific,  is  this  fih  story  I  but  still  more 
wonderful  is  it,  that  these  fishes  that  fed  on  seaweeds  and  then  upon  each  other, 
are  found  among  palm  leaves.  They  nuist  have  been  flying  fish,  and  might  have 
flown  from  the  .Joggins,  like  Noah's  dove,  wilh  lepidodendra  and  palm  leaves  in 
then-  mouths.  The  pnlni  leaves  are  now  (onnd  in  the  coal,  and  the  fishes  in 
'bitumen.'  Whnt  a  fact  for  the  piscatory  antifiuaiy!  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the 
doctor  will  continue  his  researches  until"  he  discovers  the  great  fossil  sea-serpent, 
and  after  this  it  will  not  be  surprising  if  he  find  him  smoking  a  pipe  filled  wilh 
Hillsboro'  'bitumen,'  and  that  it  wiis  this  same  animal  that  changed  the  Doctor's 
'  very  beautiful  variety  of  Aiphalt,'  into  smutty  and  filthy  coal. 


90 

Besides  the  above  there  are  the  asplialtic  lakes  of  Mexico,  Texas,  Ve- 
nezuela,  and  the  Laite  Asplmltos  of  E^rypt,  equally  characteristic  of  the 
occurrence  ot  asphaltes  i„  lakes.  It  would  not  he  rema.kahle  to  find 
hshes  in  bitumen,  or  asphnltum.  Tl.o  celebialed  dcmosit  of  fossil  fishes 
ot  Mansteldt,  is  m  bitumen  and  copper  slate. 

We  next  come  to  the  "physical  and  chemical  characters"  of  the 
Albert  Asphaltuin,  as  staled  in  the  Reports  (.f  Dr.  Jackson,  who 
knovying  the  uniform  character  and  density  of  the  material  to  be 
reliable  evidence  that  it  cannot  be  Coi.l,  has  framed  a  remarkable 
graduated  scale  of  its  specific  gravity,  n..t  unlike  that  of  a  thermome- 
ler.  A  single  glance  at  this  scale  is  sufficient  to  convince  anyone 
versed  m  science,  that  it  was  j.repared  for  the  occasion,  and  is  fic- 
titious. All  these  s])ecific  gravities  are  different  from  that  given  in 
his  first  and  true  analysis,  and  they  diminish  as  the  mine  is  descended; 
which,  were  ns  statements  correct,  would  be  farther  proof  that  the 
substance  is  Asphaltum,  and  not  Coal  of  any  description.  Mr.  Tay- 
lor has  stated  in  his  notes,  that  "in  relaiion  to  the  supposed  increase 
in  the  weight  ot  the  Hillsboro'  Asphalto,  in  descending,  I  have 
recently  proved  that  such  is  not  the  case  ;  for  whereas  the  average 
specihc  gravity  previously  returned  by  nine  investigators,  gives  ].09y, 
a  mass  taken  by  myself,  in  the  jjiesence  of  several  parties,  from  the 
lowest  worked  part  of  the  vein  in  level  8,  with  a  view  of  testing  that 
tact,  showed  a  specific  gravity  of  1.091  only."  According  to  his  own 
statements,  the  Asphaltum  of  Hillsboro'  is  still  lighter  than  the 
lightest  coal  ever  discovered  ;  but  to  which  in  a  note  Dr.  Jackson  has 
attached  an  enormous  specific  gravity,  with  an  evident  intention  to 
.leceive.  He  then  declares  that  the  Albert  Asphaltum  (now  his  Coal) 
''docs  not  mdt  and  run."  It  does  indeed  melt,  run,  and  drop  in  the 
name  of  a  candle.* 

From  what  has  been  so  clearly  and  so  often  proved,  "  the  chemical 
experiments  of  Dr.  Jackson  might  bo  allowed  to  pass  unnoticed. 
Unly  two  of  them  call  for  any  remark ;  the  remainder  have  been 
contradicted,  either  by  himself  or  the  men  of  science  whom  he  has 
quoted.  He  states,  that  Asphaltum  "from  Trinidad  immediately 
dissolves,  and  leaves  nothing  but  a  little  gravel  with  which  it  is 
rnixed.  Now,  only  from  40  to  50  ])er  cent,  of  the  Asphaltum  of 
the  great  pitch  lake  of  Trinidad  is  soluble  in  any  menstruum  what- 
ever. A  specimen  of  Egyptian  Asphaltum  yielded  Dr.  Ure  only 
twenty  per  cent,  of  bitumen. 

At  page  15  Dr.  Jackson  says,  "  I  brought  home  some  of  the  coal 
tar  pitch,  which  was  so  abundantly  scattered  about  Hillsboro'  by  Mr. 
Edgett  and  his  associates,  and  found  that  it  softened  readily  in  boiling 
water,  and  could  be  melted  in  a  flame  and  used  for  sealing  wax.  It 
melted  and  ran  when  placed  in  the  flame  of  a  lamp  ;  was  decomposed 
nt  the  temperature  of  melting  tin,  and  corresponded  so  well  in  all 
its  characters  with  the  description  given  in  Mr.   Taylor's  Report  to 

•  Tnke  a  piere  of  tlje  Hillsboro'  Asphnlte,  three  quarters  of  an  inch  square, 
h-om  Olio  (,f  the  lower  levels.  Hold  it  in  the  thinie  of  n  o.mllo :  when  a  part  of 
If  18  melted  the  outside  will  be  coated  over  with  soot.  Gently  knock  »« the  soot, 
iind  the  melted  AsphuKe  will  run  and  drop.  J'he  soot  must  always  be  removed 
when  It  forms  a  crust. 


21 


Mexico,  Texas,  Ve- 
chanicteristic  of  the 

I  reiniiikiildo  to  find 
leposit  ol'foHsiUisheH 

ciiarncters"  of  the 
Dr.  Juclison,  who 
the  material  to  he 
inicd  a  nnnarkable 
Liiat  nf  a  thermomo- 
to  convince  anyone 
ccasion,  and  is  lic- 
from  tliat  given  in 
J  mine  is  descended ; 
•ihcr  proof  that  the 
niption.  Mr.  Tay- 
siipposod  increase 
Itscending,  I  have 
hercas  tlie  average 
igators,  gives  ].09l), 
il  paities,  from  the 
view  of  testing  tliat 
Jcording  to  his  own 

II  lighter  than  the 
)te  Dr.  Jackson  has 
jvident  intention  to 
Itum  (now  his  Coal) 
in,  and  drop  in  the 

oved,  "  the  chemical 
to  pass  unnoticed, 
maindor  have  been 
lience  whom  he  has 
inulad  immediately 
I  with  which  it  is 
the  Asphaltum  of 
y  menstruum  what- 
Ided  Dr.  Ure  only 

le  some  of  the  coal 
t  Hillsboro'  by  Mr. 
d  readily  in  boiling 
3r  sealing  wax.  It 
» ;  was  decomposed 
iided  so  well  in  all 
Faylor's  Report  to 

BIS  of  an  inch  square, 
inullo  :  when  ii  part  of 
itly  kiK)ck  otV  the  soot, 
jt  always  be  removed 


the  Hnbstanco  he  describes  as  Asphaltum,  that  I  could  not  avoid 
believing,  that  some  one  had  changed  Mr.  Taylor's  8[)ecimcns;  for 
not  one  of  the  pie<!oa  of  Albert  floal  which  I  took  out  of  the  mine 
and  gave  him,  has  any  of  those  properlies."  'J'lie  sworn  testimony 
of  the  late  Mr.  Taylor,  and  the  following  letters*  will  show  that  Dr. 
Jackson  has  liad  as  little  regard  for  the  truth  in  the  aliove  instance,  as 
in  others.  There  is  also  an  indecency  in  his  remarks  rejnagnant  to  the 
lover  of  true  science. 

After  concluding  his  very  incorrect  "  Tabular  Statement,"  Dr. 
Jackson  assorts  "  that  the  coal  is  a  true  bed,  or  mass  included  between 
strata  of  rocks  before  proved  to  belong  to  the  coal  formation,  and  has 
the  structure  of  coal."  And  this  ho  assumes  "  by  its  being  a  bed  run- 
ning in  the  same  direction  with  the  including  stratii,"  &c.  Now  his 
first  asphaltum  and  then  his  coal  is  not  a  true  bed,  but  a  true  vein,  which 
intersects  strata  that  do  n»)t  belong  tt)  coal  measures;  and  it  has  the 
coMclioidal  fracture  of  asphaltum,  and  not  the  laminated  structure  of 
coal.  It  is  not  parallel  with  the  strata.  The  mass  of  asphalte  is  uni- 
form throughout  in  structure  and  color.  The  vein  is  nearly  perpendi- 
cular; is  not  parallel  with  the  contiguous  strata,  and  has  no  parallel 
associate  veins.  Its  structure  is  columnar,  and  unlike  that  of  coal ; 
and  has  no  parallel  layers  of  mineral  carbon  like  coal.  These  facts 
will  more  fully  appear  by  the  following  report  of  the  celebrated  geolo- 
gist, Richard  C.  Taylor:  and  Professor  Robb,  who  is  well  acquainted 
with  the  geology  of  the  Province  in  which  he  resides,  and  who  in  com- 
pany with  Mr.  Taylor,  made  an  accurate  survey  of  the  mine  and  bor- 
dering country. 

Jnint  Geological  Report  on  the  Asphalte  Mine  of  Ilillsborovgh,  N.  B.,  by  Richard  C. 

Taylor  and  James  Robb. 

DoRCHESTEU,  N.  B..  2nth  May,  1851. 
"  The  niitlersigiuul  liaviiif;  examined  the  iiiiiio  at  Fivilerick's  Brook,  in  the 
parisli  of  Hillsboroiigli  niul  county  of  Albert,  in  the  province  of  New  Brunswick, 
found  the  niiaeral  dug  therein, — 
1.  To  he  phiccd  almost  vertically  in  the  pround  ; 

1!.  To   vary   fioui  one  to  fourteen  feet  iu   thickness,   while  its  bounding  walls 
diverge  and  converge  accordingly: 

3.  To  vary  in  its  general  course  or  strike  : 

4.  To  have  its  principal  divisional  planes  always  arranged  nncouformably  to  the 

bounding  strata  on  either  side,  as  in  the  case  of  the  chapapoto  or  asphalte  of 
Cuba : 

5.  To  como  in  contact  with  the  edges  much  more  frequently  than  with  the  planes 

of  the  contiguous  rocks: 

6.  To  be  associated  with  rocks  which,  for  very  considerable  distances  from  the 

mine,  are  highly  impregnated  with  bitumen  : 

7.  To  have  no  proper  '  roof  and  iloor.'  and  no  under-clay  or  other  subjacent  bed 

containing  stigmaria,  or  the  ordinary  vegetable  fossil  remains  oi'  the   coal 
measures : 

8.  To  give  olf  several  lateral  ramifications,  which  both  intersect  and  confoiTn  to 

the  shale  by  which  they  are  bounded: 

9.  To  occur  in  biiuminous,  marly,  (calcareous)  shales,  which  at  the  mine  are 

much  disturbed  and  contorted. 
From  the  facts  above  staled,  we  infer, — 

1.  That  the  mineral  mass  is  not  parallel  with  the  surrounding  strata  or  measures, 

but  that  it  cuts  or  intersects  them: 

2.  That  it  is  a  true  vein,  occupying  a  line  of  dislocation  of  uncertain  extent ;  and 

*  See  Appendix. 


US 

not  a  Btratum  coiiforuiablo  to  the  rock*  iu  wliich  it  itcontaiuod.  in  tlio  manner 

of  coni  BcarnH : 
3.  TImt  ilH  origin  irt  poHterior  to  that  of  the  shalo  whorein  it  occur*,  and  that  it  U 

not  ciiut(tiii|iiirHuo(iiii)  witli  them; 
i.  That  tho  poditioti  of  thn  vein  in  the  rock,  an  well  ai  tlio  arrangeniciit  of  the 

parlH  of  tho  vniii  itHelf,  are  deoidodly  much    more  analogouii  to  the  cane  of 

aH|iJittlto  in  oliior  |ilaco«  than  to  that  of  coal  : 
6.  That  it  i»  osphuitu,  or  a  variety  of  anplialto,  and  not  coiil  or  a  variety  of  coal. 

(Signed)         UicHART,  C.  TArr.oR,  I'hiimielpliia,  U.  8. 
Jamks  Roiiii,  Fiodmicton,  N.  ll." 

Dr.  Jackson  next  says,  that  "  Mr.  Toscliomakor  thinks  he  ia  able 
to  detect  tlio  remains  of  organic  structures  in  tlio  coal  itself,"  and  that 
"we  think  thoro  are  pretty  distinct  remains  of  tho  structure  ofstigma- 
ria,"  &c.  When  the  asphaltum  is  dissolved,  molted  and  cast,  it  assumes 
all  its  original  characters  as  it  possessed  them  in  tho  mine.  What  would 
become  of  the  "organic  structure,"  and  the  "  structure  of  stigmaria," 
by  heating,  melting,  and  dissolution  ?  Can  ho  find  any  organic  struc- 
ture in  rosin  /• 

There  is  a  "  practical  restoration  of  its  characteristic  surface  mark- 
ings, audits  peculiar  conchoidal  fracture,  after  being  onco  melted  and 
rendered  soluble,  and  again  cooled  and  consolidated."! 

A  little  further  on  Dr.  Jackson  says  "  it  is  probable  that  the  highly 
bl'uininous  characler  of  the  Albert  coal,  is  owing  to  its  never  having 
been  subjected  to  heat,  which  would  have  removed  a  portion  of  the 
bitumen,  if  it  had  acted  on  it,  and  would  have  rendered  it  less  bituminous, 
like  the  ordinary  bituminous,  or  semi-bituminous  coals."  Here  is  ano- 
the-  approach  again  to  his  first  analysis,  that  the  article  is  "  a  beautiful 
variety  of  asphaltum,"  and  not  '<  like  tho  ordinary  bituminous  or  semi- 
bituminous  coals."  The  conchoidal  fracture  of  the  asphalte  doubtless 
perplexed  him  ;  and  as  its  electric  properties  are  altogether  opposite 
to  those  of  coal,  upon  them  he  has  remained  silent.  Likewise  has  he 
shunned  all  notice  of  the  varieties  of  asphaltum,  or  that  "  beautiful  va- 
riety" he  had  before  represented  as  forming  the  contents  of  the  Hills- 
boro'  mine. 

Of  his  tabular  statement,  at  page  16  also,  it  is  only  necessary  to  re- 
fute the  leading  and  most  untrus  assertions.  His  theories  of  tho  form- 
ation of  bitumen  have  little  bearing  upon  the  subject.     He  states 

let.— That  "  the  rocks  in  which  this  coal  occurs,  are  the  grey  sandstone, 

like  that  which  includes  the  coal  and  coal  shales  of  Nova  Scotia. 

The  rocks  in  which  this  coal  (asphaltum)  occurs,  are  asphaltic  shale, 
conglomerate,  red  and  gypsiferous  marls,  red  sandstone  and  limestone, 
altogether  unlike  those  that  include  the  "  coal  and  coal  shales  of  Nova 
Scotia.J 
2d. — "  That  these  sandstones  contain  the  usual  plants  that  characterize 

coal-grits." 

These  sandstones  contain  the  organic  remains  that  characterize  the 
old  red  sandstone,  and  have  no-workable  beds  of  coal. 

•  The  Egyptian  and  New  Brunswick  Asphaltnms  have  iust  been  submitted  to 
a  most  careful  microscopic  examination,  and  they  are  found  to  be  identically  the 
same  in  every  particular. 

t  Deposition  of  R.  C.  Taylor,  p.  14. 

t  See  Dr  Jackson's  first  nniilysis,  and  the  Report  of  Professors  Taylor  and  Robb. 


■m 


f 


coiitaiaod.  in  tho  niaiiiuir 

I  it  i)cciir«,  ami  tliat  it  U 

tlio  arrangement  of  the 
iiinlogoiiii  to  tho  cuHe  of 


'49 

.  3(1 — '•  That  these  sandstones  alternate  with  the  coal-bcartng  shales  of  the 


mine. 


1  or  n  variety  oT  coal. 

R.  rhihidel|)hia,  U.  8. 
ii'iuton, 


lihideli)] 
1,  N.  li.' 


:or  thinks  he  is  able 
coal  itself,"  and  that 
3  structure  of  stigma- 
(1  and  cast,  it  assumes 

0  mine.  What  would 
icturo  of  stigmaria," 
d  any  organic  struc- 

eristic  surface  mark- 
ing once  melted  and 
ed."t 
jablo  that  the  highly 

to  its  never  liaving 
3d  a  portion  of  tho 
ed  it  less  bituminous, 
oals."  Here  is  ano- 
itido  is  "  a  beautiful 

bituminous  or  semi- 
le  asphalte  doubtless 

altogether  opposite 
t.     Likewise  has  he 

that  "  beautiful  va- 
rments of  the  Hills- 

)nly  necessary  to  re- 
heories  of  the  form- 
ct.     He  states — 

?  the  grey  sandstone, 
of  Nova  Scotia, 
I,  are  asphaltic  shale, 
Jtone  and  limestone, 
coal  shales  of  Nova 

fs  tliat  characterize 

that  characterize  the 
3al. 

just  been  Bubmittcd  to 

1  to  be  identically  the 

iSBorH  Taylor  nml  Rnbb. 


The  above  rocks  du  not  alternate  with  tho  asphaltic  shale  ot  tho 
mine. 
4th — "  That  the  shales  iininediately  including  the  coal  contain  the  usual 

plants  found  in  other  well  known  coal  mines  ;    viz.  Lepidodendra. 

pttlm-likc  leaves  and  stigmaria." 

Tho  shalos  immediately  including  the  mine,  do  not  contain  thu 
plants  found  in  coal  mines  :  but  fish  scales,  fishes  and  coprolites. 

Dr.  Jackson  has  united  with  Mr.  I'ercival  "  that  there  is  no  other 
known  origin  of  bituminous  matter,  than  that  of  changes  in  vegetablo 
substances;"  they  therefore  believe  that  asphaitum  is  not  a  mineral; 
and  it  is  only  remarkable  that  in  tho  midst  of  ho  much  "  bifuminouM 
matter"  and  rocks  that  yield  sixty  gallons  of  iiaptha  and  mineral  tar 
per  ton,  they  sImjuM  bave  found  coal,  but  no  bitumen  ! 

Ho  says  in  anotlier  ''tabular  statement''  that  tho  Hiilsboro'  asphalt 
"  docs  not  melt  at  any  temperature."  *'  In  boiling  water  it  undergoes 
no  change."  "  It  does  not  give  ofl'  any  naptha."  It  does  not  "  melt 
and  drop"  "  in  the  llame  of  a  candle  or  lamp."  "  Does  not  dissolve  in 
naptha."  "  Is  not  fusible,"  "  (Jaiinot  bo  used  like  asphaitum  for  ce- 
ment." "  Does  not  melt  ami  run  through  the  grate  bars."  "  Is  com- 
monly used  for  coal ;"  and  «'  cannot  be  sold  in  the  market  for  asphai- 
tum without  fraud."  !  !  !  Of  the  two  prevailing  features  in  the  above 
Btatement,  arrogance  and  falsehood,  the  latter  is  certainly  predominant. 
This  appears  from  his  own  declarations,  and  those  of  persons  whose 
repiiMs  ho  has  compiled  with  his  own,  and  by  actual  experiment.  In 
Dr.  Jackson's  analysis  of  1850,  (see  page  7  of  this  review,)  he  says 
the  same  substance  "softens  and  melts."  "  It  gives  off  an  abundance 
of  bituminous  matter,  analogous  to  petroleum."  "Oil  of  turpentine 
dissolves  a  consideraole  quantity  of  the  asphaitum,  forming  a  varnish 
such  as  is  used  by  engravers."  That  he  believes  that  it  occurs  above 
the  coal  formation  of  New  Brunswick,  and  that  it  is  "  a  very  beautiful 
variety  of  asphaitum."  This  same  beautiful  variety  of  asphaitum  he 
now  says  "  cannot  bo  sold  in  the  market  as  asphaitum  without  fraud  !" 
Still  Mr.  Augustus  A.  Hays,  his  colleague,  whose  report  Dr.  Jackson 
has  published,  states  that  "  it  is  probable  too  that  its  uses  in  the  arts  as 
the  basis  of  hi.ack  i»aints  and  cement  will  extend  as  its  introduction 
increases."  How  can  it  form  the  basis  of  black  paints  and  cements,  if 
it  be  insoluble  ?* 

At  page  29  of  his  "  reports"  he  has  ^iven  a  plan  of  level  No.  8,  in 
the  Hiilsboro'  mine.  This  drawing  is  altogether  incorrect,  and  was 
evidently  made  so  to  deceive.  To  make  it  appear  like  a  coal  seam, 
it  was  purposely  drawn  straight  except  at  the  angles,  which  in  fact  do 
not  exist ;  whereas  the  asphalt  vein  forms  a  peculiar  curve  never  seen 
in  a  coal  stratum.t 

*  Tho  editorB  of  the  Americnu  Journal  of  Science  for  March  1851,  p.  293.  state 
that  "the  facility  with  which  this  Aspkal/ic  Coul  melts  in  /he  gairclor/s,  has  hitherto, 
as  they  are  informed,  been  an  obstacle  in  the  way  of  its  use."  It  requires  tho 
patent  retort  of  Dr.  Gcsner  in  its  use  for  pns. 

t  A  reference  to  a  correct  drawing  of  the  level  No.  8,  by  Prof.  Taylur,  will 
show  how  designedly  Dr  Jackson  has  falsified  the  vein.  He  has  purposely  neg- 
lected to  show,  thiit  the  vein  runs  out  or  is  lost  at  the  south-west.     Map  C. 


24 


i 


Dr.  Jackson  lias  attempted  to  base  his  concludon^  upon  the  neta- 
tivepropeniesoPtheNcw  Brunswick  asphalte,  and  not  upon  those 
that  agree  with  other  varieties  of  this  substance  ;  and  he  has  studious- 
ly avoided  every  cliaracfer  of  tlio  material  that  corresponds  with  the 
asphalte  of  other  countries.  But  the  greater  degree  of  heat  required 
to  dissolve  the  material,  is  in  reality  the  only  m'aterial  difference  be- 
tween the  asphaltuni  of  Hillsboro',  and  that  of  Cuba  and  other  places. 
Jiut  heat  affords  no  specific  test :  it  is  from  the  agreement  of  a  number 
ot  qualities  and  circumstances  that  the  truth  is  arrived  at.  And  to  shew 
tiiat  there  can  be  no  doubt  in  the  matter,  the  following  comparative 
table  IS  appended.  This  asphalte  taken  from  the  lowest  depth  of  the 
mine  is  now  found  to  be  more  readily  soluble  than  that  of  the  surface. 
1  his  may  be  accounted  for  by  reference  to  operations  of  the  atmosphere 


through   tlio 


and  other  meteoric  agents, 
ASfllALTUM 

AS    DESCRIHKD    II V    AUTHORS. 

If  occurs  ill  a  vertical,  irregiilm-,  and 
rapidly  enlarging  mass,  uuconCormablo 
to  the  strata.     (Cuba.) 

I8  acconii)anied  by  petroleum,  (aol't 
pitch)  and  iiai)tha  springs. 

The  accouii)auying  rocks  have  a  bitu- 
minoii  odor,  and  yield  naiilha  bv  dry 
distillation. 

Conti^'iioiis  rocks  without  coal  fossils. 
Melts  and   runs 
when  used  for  fuel. 

II  ighlyinllammable  giving  great  (lame. 
It  resendiles  black  rosin. 
Is  not  laminated   ])arallel  to  its  walls 
(sides  of  the  pit) — Cuba. 
Color,  jet  black. 
Lustre,  resinous,  shining. 
Fracture  perfect  conchoidal. 
Odor  bituminous  when  rubbed. 
Hardness  1.  (Scratched  by  rock  salt.) 
Specific  gravity  1.10(!. 
Higldy  electrical  when  rubbed. 
Massive,    opaque,    brittle.       Fusible 
when  heated. 

Easily  inflames  at  a  caudle. 
Yields  a  bitumiiious  oilor  while  burn- 
ing. 

Leaves  lens  ashes  than  coal. 
Leaves  a  liuhl  [loicuis  cnkc. 
Free  from  niinern!  charcoal,  and  does 
not  smut. 

Devoid  of  woody  structure. 
Solub'o  in  Spirits  of  Turpentine. 


Composition : — 
Coko  -    -    -    . 
Volatile  nmtter 
Ashes       -    -    ■ 


34.97 

63,0() 

2,03 


— (Cuba  Asphalt,) 

Always  known  as  Asplmltum. 


100,00 


ARPHALTUM 

OF  HiT.r.snouo',  new  uuu.nswick. 

It  occurs  ill  iiu  .-duiost  veriical,  irregu- 
lar, and  rapidly  enlarging  mass,  uncon- 
formable to  the  strata. 

Is  accompanied  by  petroleum  (soft 
pilch)  and  napthn  s[)rings. 

The  accompanying  rocks  have  a  bitu- 
minous odor,  and  yield  naptha  by  dry 
distillation. 

Ccntiguoi)  ks  without  coal  fossils. 

Melts  and  runs  through  the  grate 
when  used  for  fuel. 

Highly  iuflammablegivinggreat  flame. 

It  re.seml)les  black  rosin. 

Is  not  laminated  parallel  to  its  walls 
(sides  of  the«pit.)  • 

Color,  jet  black. 

Lustre,  resinous,  shininjr. 

Fracture,  perfect  ccmchoidal. 

Odor  bituminous  when  rubbed. 

Hardness  I  (scratclird  by  rock  salt.) 

Npecilic  gravity  1,107. 

Highly  electrical  when  rubbed. 

Massive,  opa(pie,  brittle.  Fusible 
when  heated. 

Easily  inflames  at  a  candlt. 

Yields  a  bituminous  odor  while  burn- 
ing. 

Leaves  less  ashes  than  coal. 

Leaves  ,i  light  ponnis  coke. 

t  ree  from  mineral  charcoal,  and  does 
not  smut. 

Devoid  of  woody  structure. 

Tartially  soluble  in  Spirits  of  Turpen- 
tine.     Totally   sohil)lo  in   mineral   tar, 
coal  tar,  mineral  naptim,  and  the  ani- 
mal and  vegetable  oils. 
Compositimi: — 

Coke 40,78 

Vohitilo  matter      -     •      58,80 
Ashes       .....        0  47 

100,00 

AUvays  known  .-is  Asphaltuin,  until 
patents  were  applied  for  and  obtained, 
and  purchases  were  made  of  the  lands 

(  uiitaiiiiiiu  it. 


Hb 


utionS  upon  the  nega- 
3,  and  not  upon  those 
;  and  he  has  studious- 
.  corresponds  with  tho 
(gree  of  heat  recjuircd 
laterial  difference  be- 
'uba  and  otlier  places, 
^reement  of  a  number 
rived  at.  And  to  shew 
(bllovving  comparative 
10  lowest  depth  of  the 
lan  that  of  the  surface, 
ions  of  the  atmosphere 

RI'HALTUM 

ho',    new    llllUNSWICK. 

Hu  iiliiiost  vcriicul,  irregii- 

y-  euliiryiiig  mass,  uncon- 

L'  stivita. 

iiifd   by   petroleum    (sdR 

tha  springs. 

iiuyiiig  rocks  have  a  bitu- 

iiid  yiehl  imi)tha  by  dry 

ks  without  coal  Ibssiis. 
■!iii3  through  tlie  grate 
fuel. 

iimable  giving  great  flame, 
black  rosin. 

ited  parallel  to  its  walls 
,t.)  • 
ick. 

ous,  sliiiiiHjr. 
•feet  coiu'hoidal. 
ions  when  rubbed, 
scratclifd  by  rock  salt.) 
ity  1,107. 

■ical  when  rubbed, 
iique,    brittle.       Fusible 

es  at  a  caiidlt. 

iinnous  odor  while  biiru- 

slii^s  than  coal. 
t  porous  coke, 
iieral  charcoal,  and  docs 

)ody  structure, 
blc  in  Spirits  of  Tnrpen- 
sohd)lo  in   mineral    tar, 
al  n!H)tha,  and  the  aui- 
jIo  oils. 


3r 


40,78 

58,80 

0,47 


100,00 
'U  as  Asphaltnm,  until 
iplied  for  and  obtained, 
vere  made  of  the  lands 


7»  The  following  is  from  the  deposition  of  Richard  C.  Taylor,  "Au- 
thor of  Statistics  of  Coal,"  and  long  well  known  in  the  scientific  world 
for  the  extent  and  accuracy  of  his  researches.  He  deposes  that  "  in- 
fependent  of  any  chemical  questions  or  opinions,  the  following  facts, 
iBxhibited  at  the  New  Brunswick  mine,  are  physical  characteristics  of 
a  true  asphaltum  vein. 

I.  The  absence  of  lamination  in  the  mass. 

S.  Its  hi'illiant  couchoidal  fracture,  and  occasional  tendency  to  assume  a  columnar 

structure, 
8.  The  character  and  configuration  of  its  surface  markings. 

4.  Its  small  specific  gravity  ;  not  equalling  nor  exceeding  many  of  the  resins. 

5.  The  general  prevaihng  uniformity  in  the  entire  substance  or  contents  of  the 

vein. 

6.  Its  aspect,  fracture,  divisions,  purity,  and  especially  its  almost  entire  freedom 

Irom  foreign  and  earthy  matters. 

7.  The  absence  of  all  vegetable  traces  in  connection  with  the  material  ol  the  vein. 

8.  The  absence  of  all  apparent  organization  in  its  composition. 

9.  Its  apparent  fused  and  liquid  state  originally,  and  its  subsequent  consolidation 

after  cooling. 

10.  The  practicable  restoration  of  its  characteristic  surface  markings,  and  its  peculiar 
conchoidal  fracture,  after  being  once  more  melted  and  rendered  soluble,  and 
again  cooled  and  consolidated. 

II.  Its  not  soiling  the  fingers,  in  the  maimer  of  coal. 
12.  Its  being  strongly  electric. 

"  The  physical  characteristic  marks  of  coal,  in  contradistinction, 
ore  for  the  most  part  as  follows,  viz  : 

I.  The  lamination  of  its  planes,  which  show  the  lines  of  deposit  and  develope  the 

progress  and  mode  of  accumulation. 
3.  The  rhomboidal   subdivision  and  separation  which  almost  all  the  unaltered 
bituminous  coal  seams  exhibit. 

8.  Its  irregular  or  indefinite  cross  fracture, 

A.  Its  striated  lines  of  horizontal  deposition,  as  shown  equally  on  all  the  sides  of 
any  portion  of  the  mass. 

5.  The  variable  appearance  presented  by  these  strata ;   passing  from  dull  slaty 

lines  or  stripes,  to  others  which  exhibit  a  highly  brilliant,  jet-like  lustre, 
according  to  the  greater  or  lesser  amount  of  earthy  impurities  which  pre- 
vailed at  the  respective  periods  of  their  deposition. 

6.  Its  greater  specific  gravity,  as  influenced  by  the  presence  or  absence  of  earthy 

matter.  •' 

7.  The  abundant  accompanying  traces  of  its  vegetable  origin, 

8    The  occasional  presence  of  other  organic  forms,  in  close  contiguity, 

9.  The  impossibility  to  effect  a  solution  of  coal  in  manner  of  asphalte, 

10.  Whereas  coal  in  a  modified  state,  such  for  instance  ns  anthracite,  may  still 
exhibit  distinct  traces  of  its  original  laminations  of  growth,  by  means  of  the 
ashes  which  it  leaves  after  combustion,  the  original  aspect  of  its  fracture 
after  fusion,  can  never  be  again  restored,  as  has  been  shown  to  be  practica- 
ble in  relation  to  asphaltum. 

II.  The  bituuunous  odor  of  coal  is  obscured  by  the  quantify  of  foreign  and 
impure  matter  contained,  whereas  the  odor  of  asphalte  is  resinous,  approach- 
ing to  the  scent  of  amber. 

12    Asphaltum,  like  amber,  is  electric,  while  coal  is  not." 

The  experiments  of  Dr.  Jackson  and  his  "  colleague,"  represented 
by  them  as  tests  of  the  Hillshoro'  asphalte,  arc  confined  to  the  tem- 
perature at  which  the  material  melts,  and  its  solubility  in  men&trua 
chosen  by  themselves  for  negative  purposes.  In  the  present  case  heat 
can  be  no  test.     Heat  will  coke  some  kind  of  coal ;  but  not  others. — 

Note. — A  thick  vein  of  asphaltum  has  recently  been  discovcrpd  on  the  border 

of  t!ir  ;;r(-il  jiiM;  Jnl;,-  i.f  '!"'   i;';!;,,;       I'li,   ;,:,j.iiiil; ;:h;  is  ideuMc^l  in  all  iU  oharac- 
■  ' r.^  wiiii  tlio  aspualiuiu  of  liillahoro',  Acw  Lutati^wick. 
3 


26 

Heat  will  not  cause  anthracite  to  run,  nor  coke,  nor  give  off  gas  or 
smoke  :  yet  none  doubt  that  anthracite  is  a  coal.  The  melting  and  boil- 
ing  points  of  hydro-carbons  differ  materially.  Again,  through  design 
or  Ignorance,  their  experiments  were  improperly  made,  for  their  re- 
Bults  are  not  true  ;  as  will  be  proved  by  the  denositions  of  many  other 
more  competent,  and  less  partial  chemists.  They  maintain  that  the 
asphalte  of  Hillsboro'  "  will  not  melt,"  although  it  is  melted  daily  by 
the  inhabitants  of  that  parish,  either  for  domestic  purposes,  amusement 
or  in  refutation  of  that  assertion,  ' 

It  can  be  easily  and  thoroughly  melted  by  placing  it  on  a  common 
shovel  and  holding  it  in  the  mouth  of  a  furnace,  where  the  flame  will 
not  touch  It.  It  will  then  melt  and  run  like  the  Cuba  and  EtrvDtian 
asphalt.  "''^ 

Much  of  the  asphaltum  of  commerce,  and  that  used  for  varnishes 
IS  inspissated  naptha,  or  the  dried  petroleum  of  naptha  springs  The 
asphaltum  of  Egypt,  and  that  brought  to  market  by  the  negroes  of 
C  uba,  IS  of  this  de.scription.  It  is  also  manufactured  artificially.  These 
kinds  of  asphaltum  are  more  readily  soluble  and  dissolve  with  less  heat 
than  that  taken  from  the  earth.  A  specimen  from  Albania  examined 
by  M.  Klaproth,  was  found  to  be  insoluble  in  oils  and  ether.  Five 
parts  of  rectified  oil  of  petroleum,  dissolved  only  one  of  asphaltum 

"  According  to  Neuman,  the  asphaltum  of  the  shops  is  a  very  dif- 
ferent compound  from  the  native  bitumen  :  and  varies,  of  course  in  its 
properties,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  ingredients  made  use  of  in 
torming  it."* 

Professor  Henry  says  "  the  appropriate  solvent  of  asphaltum  is 
naptha,  of  which  it  requires  five  times  its  weight."  Dr.  Jackson  pro- 
fesses to  have  tried  its  solution  in  naptha  ;  but  does  not  state  whether 
in  wood  or  mineral  naptha  ;  and  he  effected  a  partial  solution.  Mr 
Hayes  has  recorded  no  experiments  made  with  mineral  naptha  ;  but 
decides  that  the  combustible  is  c'>al,  diverting  himself  from  the  point 
by  employing  acids.  Neither  Dr.  Jackson  nor  Mr.  Hayes  has  given 
the  ultimate  analysis  of  the  Hillsboro'  material.  Now  why  has  such 
ultimate  analysis  been  withheld  I  Has  it  not  been  because  it  would 
prove  that  material  to  be  asphaltum  and  not  coal.  Mr.  Wetherell  of 
Philadelphia,  has  given  a  most  perfect  and  accurate  analysis  of  the 
Hillsboro  asphaltum  ;  and  by  comparing  it  with  the  asphalte  of  Cuba 
has  proved  its  identity.     It  is  as  follows  : 

Hillsboro'  Asphalts. 
-  86,037 
S.9(>2 
2,930 
traces 
1,9/1 
0,100 


CcBA  Asphalte. 

Carbon 

•    82,339 

Hydrogen 

.').104 

Nitrogen    -    . 

1,910 

Sulphur     -    - 

trnces 

Oxygen      -    - 

(,',247 

Aah        -    - 

■      0,400 

KJO.OOO  100,000 

The  differences  in  quantity  that  exist  between  these  two  Asplial- 

tums   are   insignificant,    when   cmpared   with    the    differences   thai 

exist  between  different  kinds  of  coal. 

Ah  the  asphalte  of  Hillsboro',  and  especially  that  taken  from  the 

•  Ure's  Diclioiiairy  of  Chemistry,  4tli  cd.  p.  177. 


8. 
9. 


ke,  nor  give  off  gas,  or 
.  The  melting  and  boil- 
Again,  through  design 
Jrly  made,  for  their  re- 
positions of  many  other 
They  maintain  that  the 
h  it  is  melted  daily  by 
c  purposes,  amusement, 

placing  it  on  a  commor, 
e,  where  the  flame  will 
;he  Cuba  and  Egyptian 

that  used  for  varnishes, 
f  naptha  springs.  The 
rket  by  the  negroes  of 
ured  artificially.  These 
I  dissolve  with  less  heat 
iom  Albania  examined 
oils  and  ether.  Five 
one  of  asphaltum. 
the  shops  is  a  very  dif- 
i  varies,  of  course,  in  its 
idients  made  use  of  in 

)lvent  of  asphaltum  is 
It."  Dr.  Jackson  pro- 
loes  not  state  whether 

partial  solution.  Mr. 
h  mineral  naptha  ;  but 
himself  from  the  point 

Mr.  Hayes  has  given 
Now  why  has  such 
been  because  it  would 
al.  Mr.  Wetherell  of 
curate  analysis  of  the 
h  the  asphalte  of  Cuba 

)Ro'  Asphalte. 
-      86,037 

8.!)r;2 

2,930 

traces 

1,9/1 

0,100 


100,000 


en  these  two  Asphal- 
the    differences   that 

that  taken  fronni  the 
p.  177. 


27 

stirface  of  the  mine  and  the  extremities  of  small  veins,  requires  a  heal 
to  melt  it  that  will  volatilize  the  lighter  hydro-carbons;  those  that  boil 
at  a  higher  temperature  must  be  used.  It  is  therefore  soluble  in  nap- 
tha, petroleum,  mineral  tar,  coal  tar,  coal-tar  pitch,  olive  oil,  linseed 
oil,  lard,  fish  oil,  and  other  vegetable  and  mineral  oils,  with  the  aid  of 
a  moderate  heat.  These  menstiua  were  shunned  by  Dr.  Jackson  and 
his  "  colleague,"  for  reasons  too  apparent  to  be  mistaken. 

Of  the  many  contradictory  statements  contained  in  his  "  reports," 
it  may  be  necessary  to  quote  a  few  more,  to  shew  what  incongruous 
materials  their  author  employs  to  refute  his  own — his  first  and  only 
correct  analysis.     He  says — 

1.  That  "  it  is  a  very  beantifid  variety  of  asphaltum." — Dr.  Jaclcsnn. 

2.  That  hrf  "  cannot  laid  any  reason"  to  regard  it  "  as  any  variety  of  asphaltum." — 

Dr.  .Jackson. 

3.  That  "  it  melts  when  exposed  to  heat." — Dv.  Jackson. 

4.  That  it  "  does  not  melt"  even  beueath  "  molten  metal." — Dr.  Jickson. 

5.  That  "  oil  of  turpentine  dissolves  a  considerable  quantity  of  the   asphaltum, 

forming  a  varnish  such  as  is  used  by  engravers." — Ur.  .Jackson. 

6.  That  it  is  of  "'no  commercial  value  in  the  making  of  varnishes,  and  cannot  \w 

sold  in  the  market  as  asphaltum,  virithout  fraud." — Dr.  Jackson. 

7.  "It  is  probable  too,  that  its  uses  in  the  aits,  as  the  basis  of  black  paints  and 

cements,  will  extend,  as  its  introduction  increases." — Dr.  Hayes. 

8.  "  It  does  not  give  off  any  naptha." — Dr.  Jackson. 

9.  The  "  prolonged  action  of  sulphuric  ether  causes  the  solution  of  n  uaptha-liko 

Huid  and  a  resinous  body.'' — Dr.  Hayes. 

10.  It  "  is  a  true  jet-coal  or  lignite.'" — Mr.  Hudson. 

11.  It  is  "  a.  new  variety  of  coal." — Dr.  John  Torry. 

12.  "  It  differs  strikingly  from  the  common  coal  of  Great  Britain." — Dr.  Penny. 

13.  "  The  external  appearance  of  the  article  being  such  as  not  to  load  a  persou  to 
doubt  that  it  might  be  asphaltiun."— /.  R.  Chilton. 

"This,  like  cannel  coal  and  jet,  is  a  highly  bituminous  substance,  free  from  tho 
laminated,  or  stratiform  structure  of  common  coal." — Dr.  Pcrcival. 
"  Tile  substance  is  analagous  to  cannel  coal  and  jet." — Dr.  Percival. 
"  The  physical  characters  of  color  in  mass  is  the  same  in  chapapote." — A.Hayes. 

Mr.  Foulis  calls  it  "  asphaltic  coal"  and  "pitch  coal"  and  says  it  is  ''  (juito  differ- 
ent from  the  true  asphaltum  found  in  Lake  Asphaltum  and  imported  from  India." 
— The  Lake  Asphaltum  in  India !  ! ! 

Here  then  are  the  evidences  collected,  compiled  and  published  by 
Dr.  Jackson,  t^  prove  that  tho  Hillsboro'  Asphaltum  is  Coal,  and  not 
Asphaltum,  as  he  had  first  declared  it  to  be.  And  his  "  Reports"  are 
scattered  over  the  country  on  the  approach  of  the  law  trials  to  influence 
public  opinion  in  favor  of  a  cause  he  has  adopted  and  made  his  own. 
Throughout  the  whole  of  his  "  Reports,"  he  has  endeavore^^  i  injure 
Dr.  Gesncr's  character:  and  under  the  cloak  of  science,  taken  the 
office  of  an  assailant  and  litigant.  In  them  he  has  also  entered  into  the 
law  proceedings,  and  in  a  note  artfully  introduced,  misrepresented  the 
claims  of  Dr.  (lesner  to  the  lands  in  dispute.  It  is  now  known  that 
this  same  Dr  Jackson  prepared  the  principal  interrogatories  to  be  pul 
to  witnesses  in  the  cause.  He  also  comes  forward  as  a  witness  against 
the  plaintitt'  in  the  action,  and  has  prepared  the  questions  to  be  put  to 
himself  The  counsel  of  Dr.  Uesner's  opponents  at  Halifax  withheld 
a  commission  to  examine  witnesses  abroad,  until  their  "  reports"  could 
be  published  ;  and  to  gain  objects  now  too  plain  to  be  misunderstood, 
he  violates  every  rule  of  decency  and  honor,  and  publishes  a  private 
letter  from  Dr,  Gesurr,  evidently  never  intended  for  public  perusal. 
Tf  8iich  arc  the  moans  by  whirh  the  profits  (if  tho  Jisphnltuin  mine-s  nrr 


13. 

14 

15 
16 


Il-i 


28 

to  be  wo'i,  hottoA-  wonUl  it  have  been  bad  they  never  been  discovered; 
and  if  sue!)  is  the.  testimony  by  which  justice!  is  to  be  frustrated  in  a 
bordering  Province,  bettor  would  it  be  for  her  inhabitants  were  they 
brought  into  our  commonwealth,  and  there  sheltered  from  sucJi 
al)uses. 

With  his  own  remarks  and  the  observations  of  others  Dr.  Jackson 
has  compiled  the  report  of  Dr.  J.  G.  Percival,  whose  deposition  upon 
oath  was  taken  in  New  Brunswick  in  August  last.  The  deposition 
and  the  report  present  many  discrepancies  ;  but  as  they  both  disclose 
the  disqualification  of  the  witness,  they  are  below  criticism. 

Dr.  Percival  declares  upon  oath  that  his  personal  knowledge  of 
coal  mines  is  confined  "  solehj"  to  a  "  visit  of  one  daij  to  the  Albion 
mines  :"  that  he  has  "  not  visited  places  where  asphaltum  is  found  ; 
and  unless  the  deposit  in  Hillsboro'  is  asphaltum,  he  has  never  seen 
asplinltum  in  the  earth  ;"  and  that  "  his  knowledge  of  coal  mines"  and 
his  "  opinions  of  asphaltum  are"  founded  on  rending.  Having  depo- 
sed to  his  ignorance  of  both  asphaltum  and  coal  mines,  this  witness 
goes  on  to  srate  that  the  appearances  were  such  as  "  to  indicate  that 
the  l)ed  assumed  its  present  form  in  a  soft  aqueous  condition."  He  then 
says  "coal  has  never"  to  his  "  knowledge  been  found  in  a  fluid,  or 
seniiOuid  Kftitc."  Dr.  .Tackson  has  pronounced  the  asphaltum  of  Hills- 
bo!-f.'  "  n  ?na.is  ivjectedfrom  hencath:'  It  would  be  a  needless  task  to 
follow  Dr.  Percival  through  his  voluminous  testimony,  from  which  lit- 
tle can  be  uleaned  beyond  the  manifestation  of  his  own  inability.  On 
his  cross-examination  he  refused  to  answer  upwards  of  thirty  plain 
question;!,  in  reference  to  whether  the  material  is  either  coal  or  asphal- 
tum. Of  these  questions,  a  few,  with  his  answers  thereto  may  be 
quoted. 

Q.  What  is  your  opinion  of  the  origin  and  geology  of  coal  ? 

A.  I  (leclino  to  answer  that  question. 

Q.  Are  not  fossil  vegetables  very  abundant  in  the  vicinity  of  coal  miiieB  and 
touching  the  coal? 

A.  I  (lecinie  answering  the  question. 

Q.  Do  not  metallic  veins  run  and  ramify  in  all  directions,  and  does  conl  ever 
occur  in  this  manner? 

A.  I  decline  answering,  as  I  cannot  do  so  from  personal  observation. 

Q.  Of  what  is  asphaltum  composed  ? 

A.  That  being  a  chemical  question,  I  decline  to  answer  it. 

Q.  What  is  the  difierence  between  coal  and  asphaltum  ? 

A.  That  being  a  chemical  cpiestion,  I  decline  to  answer  it. 

Q.  If  you  were  to  see  those  specimens  (asphaltum)  now  before  you  melted 
in  oil,  what  would  you  consider  them  to  be  ? 

A.  I  decline  answering  that,  as  a  chemical  question. 

Q.  Will  coal  shales  usually  burn,  or  answer  for  fuel? 

A.  I  have  made  no  experiments  on  them,  and  theretbre  decline  answering  the 
question. 

Here  is  a  witness  that  does  not  know,  or  pretends  that  he  does  not 
know  the  difference  between  coal  and  asphaltum. 

A  precedent  for  the  silence  of  Dr.  Percival  on  questions  opposed 
to  his  employer's  intere.sts,  was  afforded  by  Dr.  Jackson,  and  his  fee- 
bleness and  infirmity  may  afibrd  him  some  apology  :  but  his  report 
differing  as  it  does  from  his  sworn  testimony,  should  never  have  been 
pubbshed  under  the  cloak  of  science.  Of  itself  Dr.  Percival's  tesi^iruo- 
ny  is  harmless,  and  the  confessions  of  his  own  ignorance  iio  ample. — 


29 


levej-  been  discovered; 

5  to  be  frustrated  in  a 

inhabitants  were  they 

(    sheltered  from  sucJi 

of  others  Dr.  Jackson 
rhose  deposition  upon 
;  last.  The  deposition 
It  !is  they  both  disclose 
w  criticism, 
personal  knowlcdi::;-e  of 
^  one  day  to  the  Albion 
re  asphaltum  is  found  ; 
m,  he  has  never  seen 
dge  of  coal  mines"  and 
'ading.  Having  dejio- 
il  mines,  this  witness 
;h  as  "  to  indicate  that 
us  condition."  He  then 
!n  found  in  a  fluid,  ox 
^he  asphaltum  of  Hills- 
i\  be  a  needless  task  to 
imony,  from  which  lit- 
his  own  inability.  On 
pwards  of  thirty  plain 
}  either  coal  or  asphal- 
iwers  thereto   may  be 

f  coal  ? 

riciuity  of  coal  miiieH  and 

jtions,  and  does  conl  ever 

nal  observation. 

'erit. 

im? 

^er  it. 

)  now  before  you  melted 


)re  decline  answering  the 


;ends  that  he  does  not 
n. 

on  questions  opposed 
Jackson,  and  his  fee- 
ology  :  but  his  report 
3uld  never  have  been 
Dr.  Percival's  test^irno- 
fnorance  are  ample. — 


When  examined  upon  oath,  and  he  is  asked  to  point  out  the  difference 
between  coal  and  asphaltum,  he  "  declines  to  answer  the  question  ;" 
but  in  his  report  not  made  under  oath,  he  enters  into  the  chemical  and 
physical  properties  of  both  coal  and  asphaltum  ;  and  decides  that  the 
asphaltum  "  is  analogous  to  cannel  coal  and  jet." 

The  report  of  Mr.  A.  Hayes  may  also  be  summarily  dealt  with. 
According  to  his  own  statements,  his  opinions  liave  been  formed  upon 
the  statements  of  Dr.  Jackson,  whose  "  field-book"  he  was  "  permitted 
to  examine."  Upon  this  "  field  book"  he  rests  his  geological  conclu- 
sions of  a  tract  of  country  he  has  never  seen.  Treating  of  the  Hillsbo- 
ro'  asphaltum,  he  says  "  this  is  one  of  the  lightest  coals  known,  being 
mearly  of  the  same  density  as  bitumen  free  from  earths."  The  Hills- 
boro'  asphalte  is  free  from  earth.  He  describes  the  chapapote  of  Ha- 
vana "  as  a  brilliant  black  bitumen,  remarkable  for  its  purity  ;  fracture 
conchoidal;  specific  gravity  of  pure  pieces  1,1650  to  1,1700,  and  re- 
markably uniform.  It  has  an  asphaltic  odor  and  easily  breaks,"  &c. 
These  are  the  exact  characters  of  the  Hillsboro'  asphalt.  He  also  says 
that  "  chapapote,  as  asphaltum  and  Albert  Cos.  coal  agree  in  specific 
gravity,  nearly."  It  is  therefore  only  remarkable,  that  Dr.  Hayes 
with  so  many  facts  before  him,  should  have  anived  at  such  erroneous 
conclusions.  And  instead  of  acting  and  testifying  for  himself,  to  adopt 
the  experiments  and  declarations  of  his  friend  Dr.  Jackson,  which  have 
been  proved  to  be  fallacious.  Both  have  avoided  all  reference  to  the 
electrical  properties  of  the  Hillsboro'  asphalte,  which  of  themselves 
clearly  distinguish  the  substance  from  every  kind  of  coal.  True  friend- 
ship will  never  sanction  the  errors  and  enormities  of  a  companion. 

To  gain  some  support  in  his  shameless  position.  Dr.  Jackson  has 
M)pended  to  his  "  reports,"  two  brief  letters  from  Professor  SilHman. 
The  remarks  of  this  gentleman  are  also  altogether  founded  upon  the 
mis-representations  of  Drs.  Jackson,  Percival,  and  Hayes,  and  they 
Bre  without  any  analysis  of  th<3  subject  in  dispute.  Mr.  Hayes  follows 
the  field  book  and  experiments  of  Dr.  Jackson,  and  Professor  SilH- 
man follows  Mr.  Hayes ;  but  give  no  reason  based  upon  their  own 
examinations  why  the  material  should  be  denominated  coal.  It  is 
therefore  evident  that  the  chief  of  the  certificates  appended  to  Dr. 
Jackson's  reports  have  emanated  directly  from  himself,  and  are  the 
result  of  his  advocacy  to  obtain  the  mine,  and  as  a  partisan  and  asso- 
ciate in  the  law  proceedings. 

Likewise  the  pamphlet  referred  to,  contains  a  report  from  James 
R.  Chilton,  of  New  York,  who  like  Dr.  Jackson  himself,  has  made 
and  subscribed  to  statements  directly  contrary  to  each  other.  They 
first  declare  that  the  material  is  asphaltum ;  but  for  reasons,  by  no 
means  obscure,  they  then  declare  the  same  material  to  be  coal  and  not 
asphaltum.  The  asphaltum  analyzed  by  Mr.  Chilton  was  put  in  his 
hands  by  Mr.  Henry  Gesner,  and  not  by  Dr.  Gesner,  as  stated  in  his 
report ;  and  the  following  is  his  analysis  of  the  substance. 

From  this  and  the  turpentine  case  in  New  York,  it  appears  that  the 
Doctor's  opinions  are  greatly  influenced  by  the  price  paid  for  them. 
The  asphalte  opinions  cost  only  five  dollars.  The  price  of  the  coal 
opinion  was  probably  much  higher,  as  it  involved  its  author  in  far 
greater  responsibilities. 


80 

"  I  Imvo  nnaljrsed  a  sample  orasphnltum  for  Dr.  Gesner,  from  New  Brunswick, 
an  I  iiiid  that  it  yields  as  loltows  : 

Volatile  mutter,  principally  bitumen    -    58,09 
Coke,  nearly  pure  carbon      ....    41,31 

100.00 
New  York,  June  14,  1850.  James  R.  Chilton,  Chemist." 

Dr.  Jackson  has  compiled  in  his  "  reports"  a  certificate  from  Dr. 
Ure,  of  London,  who  denominates  the  substance  put  in  his  hands 
"  pitch  coal."  iJut  the  Doctor  does  not  state  whence  the  specimen 
was  taken,  and  there  is  no  reason  to  suppose  that  it  was  from  Hills- 
boro'.  Tlie  following  is  the  report  and  analysis  of  the  celebrated 
Chemist  of  the  asphaltum  of  the  Hillsboro'  mine,  and  of  the  bitumen 
adjacent  thereto. 

REPORT  BY  ANDREW  URE,  M.D„  F.R.S.,  &c.. 
Of  the  analysis  of   two  samples  of  bitumen  or  asphalt,  from  Hillsboro',  New 

Brunswick. 

"Of  the  two  samples,  one  was  a  mass  of  hard,  brittle,  very  glassy  asphalt, 

quite  jet  black,  and  oi  the  specific  gravity  l.llG,  water  1.000.     It  affords  a  black 

powder,  which  softens  into  a  pasty  mass  at  a  heat  of  about  GOO  dog.  F.     It  is  very 

soluble  in  petroleum,  especially  with  the  aid  of  a  gentle  heat,  and  yields  thereby 


dissolve  in  that  menstruum,  or  in  general  tiiigo  it.  In  fact,  mankind  are  misled 
by  the  term  bituminous  coal,  used  in  contradistmction  to  stone  coal  or  anthracite; 
a«  if  the  former  contained  bitumen,  which  it  does  not,  but  merely  a  certain  pro- 
portion of  hydrogen,  which  combining  at  high  heats  with  the  carbon  and  oxygen 
of  the  coal,  produces  compounds  of  a  bituminous  quality ;  but  these  compounds 
did  not  pre-exist,  no  more  than  ammonia  and  prussic  acid  do  in  the  horns  of 
animals,  from  which  however  these  chemical  compounds  may  be  formed  by  igneous 
decompositioQ. 

"  The  above  brittle  sharp  edged  asphalt  is  almost  entirely  soluble  in  mineral 
naptha. 

"  The  second  sample  of  bitumen  is  brown-black  in  color,  of  a  compressible 
doughy  consistence.  It  softens  with  the  heat  of  the  hand,  is  also  soluble  in 
mineral  naptha,  and  has  a  specific  gravity  of  1.56.  This  greater  density  is  due  to 
an  admixture  of  earthy  or  stony  particles.  It  has  nothing  of  the  pit  coal  nature, 
but  is  a  true  bitumen. 

London,  24,  Bloomsbury  Square,  Andrew   Uue  " 

23rd  July.  1851. 

The  preceding  and  the  following  Reports  are  abundantly  sufficient 
to  set  the  question  at  issue  for  ever  at  rest,  and  they  prove  conclusively 
that  the  contents  of  the  Hillsboro'  mine  is  Asphaltum,  and  not  Coal, 
"  or  any  variety  of  Coal." 

'<  REPORT  OF  THE  ROYAL  POLYTECHNIC  INSTITUTION. 

Laboratory,  Royal  Polytechnic  Institution 
Dr.  Locock,  August  23,  1851. 

Sir, — After  a  careful  investigation  of  the  properties  of  the  mineral, 
(certified  as  being  from  New  Brunswick)  you  deposited  with  mo  for  examination, 
and  having  made  an  exact  comparison  of  it  with  two  of  the  coal  family,  viz. 
Cannel  and  ordinary  Newcastle  Coals;  I  can,  without  hesitation,  give  my  opinion 
that  it  may  be  classed  vvith  the  Mineral  Resins  as  a  true  Asphaltum.  I  do  not  bring 
forward  any  evidence  of  precise  chemical  composition,  because  analysis  would  only 
afford  in  all,  the  usual  but  ever  variable  constituents,  of  Carbon,  Hydrogen,  Oxygen, 
Nitrogen  and  Ash.  I  found  my  opinion  upon  the  general  qualities,  such  as  colour, 
fracture,  easy  combustibility,  fusibiliiy,  action  of  solvents,  also  on  its  specific  gra- 
vity, which  IS  1.088,  Cannel  coal  being  1.283,  and  Newcastle  coal  1.264.  The  easy 
fusibility  is  a  most  important  fact,  for  when  plunged  under  melted  lead  the  nsphalf" 


81 


ncr,  from  New  Brunswick, 
•    41,31 


100.00 
i  R.  Chilton,  Chemist." 

a  certificate  from  Dr. 
;ance  put  in  his  hands 
whence  the  specimen 
lat  it  was  from  Hills- 
sis  of  the  celebrated 
le,  and  of  the  bitumen 

.R.S.,  &c., 

It,  from  Hillsboro',  New 

i-ittle,  very  glassy  asphalt, 
1.000.  It  attbrds  a  hlack 
out  GOO  cleg.  F.  It  is  very 
heat,  and  yields  thereby 
11,  wood,  paper  trays,  and 
ral  uaptha  (and  spirits  of 
every  kind,  none  of  which 
II  fact,  mankind  are  misled 
)  stone  coal  or  anthracite ; 
but  merely  a  certain  pro- 
th  the  carbon  and  oxygen 
y;  but  these  compounds 
■  acid  do  in  the  horns  of 
may  be  formed  by  igneous 

ntirely  soluble  in  mineral 

color,  of  a  compressible 
hand,  is  also  soluble  in 
greater  density  is  due  to 
ug  of  the  pit  coal  nature, 

Andrew  UaB." 

e  abundantly  sufficient 
liey  prove  conclusively 
lialtum,  and  not  Coal, 

INSTITUTION. 
Polytechnic  Institution, 

Augustas,  1851. 
roperties  of  the  minernl. 
with  mo  for  examination, 
>  of  the  coal  family,  viz. 
ssitation,  give  my  opinion 
Asphaltum.  Ido  not  briiiR 
icause  analysis  would  only 
arbon,  Hydrogen,  Oxygen, 
I  qualities,  such  as  colour. 
ts,  also  on  its  specific  gra- 
stle  coal  1.264.  The  easy 
(r  melted  lead  the  asphalto 


•oftened  and  became  plastic  throughout  the  whole  mass,  while 'he  same  test  did 
not  allect  either  the  Oannel  or  Newcastle  Coals.    The  ai)plicatiou  of  heat  to  the  As- 

Shalte  in  a  tube  caused  it  first  to  crack,  then  to  melt  and  become  liquid,  whilst  the 
^aniiel  coal  decrepitated  violently,  swelling  up  without  proper  lusion.  Finally 
the  conclusive  tests  of  solvents  were  applied,  the  Asphaltum,  the  Newcastle  and 
Caniiel  coids  were  rach  boiled,  (both  in  lump  and  powder;  with  sulphuric  ether, 
coal,  nuptlia,  and  oil  of  tuipentiiie;  six  exporiinenls  being  made  with  each  sub- 
•tance,  and  the  results  proved  that  the  asphaltum  was  softened  in  the  lump  and 
dissolved  in  a  great  measure  by  naphtha  and  turpentine,  so  as  to  produce  with  the 
latter  solvent,  the  well  known  varnish  called  Brunswick  Black,  but  the  coals  both 
in  lump  and  powder,  only  atfoided  a  slight  tinge  to  the  solvents  already  named. 

I  am  therefore  induced  to  reiterate  my  former  opinion  that  the  substance  is  a 
true  mineral  resin,  and  is  properly  called  Asphaltum  but  not  Coal,  and 

I  am  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  D.  PEPPER, 
Professor  Chemistry  Royal  Polytechnic  luHliiutiou, 
„^,,„,    ^  Associate  Institute  Civil  Engineers. 

EOBT.  J.  LONGBOTTOM,  Secretary. 

REPORT  OF  CHARLES  M.  WETMERILL,  Esq.,  Chemist.  Sec. 

Laboratory,  20C  Chane  St.  Philadelphia, 
IVIay  10,  1851. 
I  have  examined  the  two  specimens  of  Asphaltum  which  you  left  with  me, 
and  communicate  liuruwith  the  result  of  my  experiments  in  detail,  as  requested. 

Speciincji  A,  Asi)haltuin  from  Cuba.  Specimen  B,  Asphaltum  from  the  mine 
at  Frederick  Brook,  Hillsboro'  New  Brunswick. 

Specimen  A,  black  with  cHuchoidal  fracture,  giving  a  brown  fjowdor,  with 
etroiig  petroleum  smell.  Hardness,  according  to  Moh's^  scale,  between  1  and  2. 
Density  1.117.  Thrown  into  boiling  water,  softened  and  floated  u[)on  the  surface. 
Heated  in  a  covered  crucible,  melted,  and  gave  off  a  strongly  illuminating  gas, 
leaving  a  very  light  brilliant  coke.  One  gramme  raised  suddenly  to  redness  in  a 
covered  crucible  lost  0.67C).  The  coke  burned  in  an  atmosphere  of  oxygen,  left 
0.004  ol  brown  ash,  of  which  the  per  centage  corresponds  to 

Coke 32.00 

Volatile  matter      -    -    C7.60 
0.40 


100.00 


Tested  for  nitrogen  by  Sassigne's  method,  and  for  sulphur  by  fusion  with 
nitre,  and  caustic  potassa,  aflinnative  results  were  obtained. 

The  ultimate  analysis,  by  a  combustion  with  chromate  of  lead,  yielded  the 
following  results  :     0.2  grammes  0.607  carbonic  acid,  and  0.1645  water,  corres- 

iiondmg  to  a  per  centage  of  32.339  carbon,  and  9,104  hydrogen.  In  an  analysis 
or  nitrogen  by  Brdmaii  &  Marchand's  method,  0,318  gr.  gave  5  cubic  centimetres 
of  moist  nitrogen,  at  90  centigrade,  and  705  millimetres  barometer.  If  the  baro- 
metric pressure  be  reduced,  L.  O.  deg.  correction  made  for  the  moisture  of  the 
gas,  and  its  volume  reduced  to  0  dcg.  and  760  millimetres  barrometris,  on  chang- 
ing measures  to  weights,  we  have  a  per  centage  of  1-910  nitrogen.  The  oxygen 
by  loss  is  0  247.  •r  o  o  js, 

The  aincmnt  of  sulphur  iu  the  two  specimens,  and  which  was  slight,  was  not 
determined,  for  want  of  time. 

Specimen  B,  The  appearance  like  that  of  A.  Its  powder  was  black,  and  the 
smell  of  petroleum  not  quite  so  strong.     Its  density  was  1.097. 

In  an  examin  ition  for  volatile  matter,  1  gramme  gave  0.5555  vol.  muUer, 
0.4435  coke,  and  0.001  of  reddish  ash,  corresponding  to  a  per  centage  of 

Coke 44,35 

Volatile  matter  -    -    55,55 
Ash 0  10 


100,000 
Nitrogen  and  traces  of  sulphur  were  obtained,   as  in  A. 


In  the  ultimate 


analysis,  by  a  combustion  with  oxide  of  copper,  0.858  gave  2.907  carbonic  acid, 
ajid  0.6925  water,  or  a  per  centage  86,037 ;   hydrogen  8.962.    The  determination 


!i1 


S2 

of  nitrogen  by  Erdinan  niid  Marclmnd's  method,  gave  23  cubic  centimetres  of 
moist  nitrogen,  nt  12  dcg.  and  7C3.4  millimolris,  which  calcubited  as  in  A,  corres- 
ponds to  a  per  contage  of  2.93  nitrogen.     Oxygen  l)y  loss,  1.971. 

Action  of  re-agents  on  A  and  B. 

A  treated  with  naptha deep  brown  sohition, 

"  oil  of  vitriol " 

"  caustic  potasse    ...    -  soluticm  slightly  colored. 

"  nitric  and  in  the  cold   -     -  no  action. 

At  boiling  temperature gave  light  yellow  color. 

B  gave  similar  results  with  the  same  re -agents,  but  with  less  deep  color. 

The  following  are  the  results  obtained  by  E.  Durand,  Esq.,  of  this  city,  as  to 
the  comparutivo  Holubility  of  A  and  B. 

In  ether.  Residue  in  turpentine.  Residue. 

A    -    -    34 GO C 

B     -    -      4 30 (iC 

The  comparative  per  centage  composition,  from  its  ultimate  analysis,  as  de- 
duced from  my  experiments  is  as  follows : 

Cuba.  New  Brunswick. 

Carbon,     -    -  82.339 8fi.037 

Hydrogen,    -    9.104 8.902 

Nitrogen,-    -     1.910 2.930 

Sulpur,     -     -     traces traces 

Oxygen,  -     -     C.247 1.S71 

Ash,    -    -    -    0.400-    - 0.100 

100.000  100.000 

Subtracting  the  Ash  and  uniting  the  Nitrogen  and  Oxygen,  we  have — 
Cuba.  New  Brunswick. 

Carbon,    ....    82.C70    .....  86.123. 

Hydrogen,     -    -    -      9.141 8.971 

Oxygen  and  Nitrogen,  8.189 4.906 

100.000  100.000 

Taking  carbon  1000  we  have  In 

Cuba.  New  Brunswick. 

Hydrogen,  110  parts      ........        104  parts. 

Oxygen  and  Nitrogen,  99  parts, 57  parts. 

In  calculating  the  formula  for  A,  neglecting  nitrogen,  which  is  very  small,  we 
have  C.  35.  H.  23,  O.  2.  The  formula  for  B.  would  be  C.  68,  H.  42,  O.  N.  in 
which  the  number  of  equivalents  of  carbon  and  hydrogen  for  one  of  oxygen  is 
nearly  fourfold  that  in  the  oise  of  A.  From  these  experiments,  from  its  general 
appearance  and  from  its  geological  position,  I  have  no  hesitation  in  inferring  the 
specimen  from  the  mine,  at  Frederick's  Brook,  wli.ch  I  have  analysed  to  be  a  true 
Asphaltum  and  not  a  Coal. 

You  have  also  requested  me  to  send  you  the  composition  of  Cannel  coal. 

Dr.  Uie  '.'ives  the  analysis  of  a  Coal  from  Woodhall,  near  Glasgow,  S.  P.  1  228, 
carbon,  72.22;  hydro  3.931;  Oxygen,  21,05;  Nitrogen,  2.8  per  cent.  Graham 
gives  the  f  n'lniila  of  Cannel  coal,  from  Lancashire — C.  24  ;  H.  13  ;  O. 

Regnault  for  a  Cannel  coal  of  Rive  de  Dieg.  dens  1.294  ;  coke,  67.1 ;  cai'bou, 
83.C7  ;  hydrogen,  5.61 ;  oxygen  und  nitrogen,  7.72;  ashes,  2.99. 

CHARLES  M.  WETHERILL. 
Sworn  to  before  Eau  Shippen,  Philadelphia. 
To  Richard  C.  Taylor,  Esq.,  &c.  &c. 


■l.i 


REPORT  OF  C.  T.  HARRIS,  CHEMIST. 

New-York,  179  Broadway,  June,  14th,  1851. 

I  have  analysed  a  specimen  of  Asphaltum,  from  the  Province  of  New  Brunswick, 
and  find  it  to  yield  the  following  amounts  of  coke  and  volatile  matter,  when  sub- 
mitted to  distillation  in  close  vessels.     The  result  of  three  trials  is  u.-,  ioiln-wa  : 


23  cubic  centimetres  uf 
alculiited  U8  iu  A,  corres- 
IS,  1.971. 


brown  solution. 

41 

m  slightly  colored. 

ion. 

ight  yellow  color. 

'ith  lees  deep  color. 

,  Esq.,  of  this  city,  as  tu 

Ilesiduc. 
•      C 
-    66 

ultimate  analysis,  as  de- 

aUNSWlCK. 

,037 

962 

,930 

aces 

S71 

100 

).000 

ygen,  we  have — 

ilUNSWlCK. 

.123. 

971 

906 

1.000 

KW  Brunswick. 
104  purts. 
57  parts. 

,  which  is  very  small,  we 
e  0.  68,  H.  42,  O.  N.  in 
en  for  one  of  oxygen  is 
irinients,  from  its  general 
hesitation  in  inferring  the 
lave  analysed  to  be  a  true 

ion  of  Caiinel  coal. 

ear  Glasgow,  S.  P.  1  228, 

,  2.8  per  cent.      Graham 

I:  H.  13;  O. 

,294  ;  coke,  67.1 ;  carbon, 

s,  2.99. 

ES  M.  WETHERILL. 


WIST. 

Iway,  .Tune,  14th,  1851. 

)viuce  of  New  Brunswick, 
jlatile  matter,  when  sub- 
■e  trials  i.s  u.-  llijluv/s  : 


33 

No.  1   (JoUf, ,J;].rj 

Volatijf  matter .'if;;, 

No.  2  Coko, 45.5 

"  Volatile  matter, 54.,'-, 

No.  3  Coko, 4j'.5 

Volatile  matter,    ....     ....  53.5 

.   '•''»«  Asphalt.im  breaks  with  a  conchoidal  fracture,  lustre  vitrious.     The  .'!i- 
yiel.led  by  its  distillation,  is  largo  in  quantity,  probably  53  per  cent,  of  the  \i^nAo, 

vorvh  r"ll'"^  "*7''""'  ^°'"S  l"^"*''"*-      ^  *''""1'^  J'x^g"  tii»t  the  gas  posse.sr. 
very  high  illuminaliiig  powers.  °      ^ 

0.  TOWNSBND  HARRIS,  Cliemif-t. 

REPORT  OF  DR.  THOMAS  ANTISELL,  Analj/iw  Chemist. 

a- .  New  York,  03  Franklin  Street. 

"'  J  .  February  16,  1852. 

«v„    •     .■         <•  V^"''".^'''*  forward  to  you  a  copy  of  the  anrdysis  and   .•li.-ini.  nl 
^-xammatif.ii  ot  the  minerals  forwarded  to  mo  for  that  purpose  liy  you. 

Samples  four  in  number: 

No.  1.  Cannol  Coal. 
No.  2.  Asphalte  from  S.  America, 
No.  3.  "  L.  Asphaltites. 

No.  4.  "  Hillsborough  N.  B. 

PHVSICAI,    TROPERTIKS. 

Speciiic  Gravity.     Water  ==  1,000. 

No.  1. 1.277. 

No.  2 i.07(i. 

No.  3 1.056. 

No.  4 1.068. 

_     ,,  .  OTHER   PROPERTIES. 

1.  L»ull  black, With  a  blue  shade:  fracture,  splintery;  semi-coiichoidat :  difficult 
to  pulverise:  streaks  paper  faint  black :  no  bituminous  odor:  heated  to  redness 
Rives  ott  a  large  quantity  of  illuminating  pas:  does  not  melt:  leaves  a  coko  tho 
ZTr  uu  ""S*""^  '"''88'  or  very  nearly  so.  After  full  ignition,  it  leaves  a 
reddish  brown  heavy  ash.  The  powder  is  partially  soluble  in  ether,  turpentine 
.end  Imseed  oil.  It  scarcely  colors  the  latter  liquid.  It  is  a  little  more  sohiblo  in 
snaptha.  It  cannot  be  made  to  melt  by  the  intervention  of  wax,  steariue.  or  auv 
»  brown  t/nt     ^' '^  "°"-«'^<=*™  «"  f"*^''""!   soils  the  fingers;    streaks  paper  with 

2.  Color,  black;  lustre  resinous;  fracture,  polished  conchoidal;  brittle  and 
easily  powdered.  It  softens,  but  does  not  melt  in  boiling  water;  at  a  lii"h  tem- 
perature gives  off  illuminating  gas;  in  that  act  it  swells  up.  and  leaves  a  i.orous 
light  coke,  and  after  full  ignition,  a  lisht  flocculent  whitish  ash.  Tho  mass  has  a 
bituminous  odor;  powder,  black;  streaks  paper  brownish  black,  but  does  not 
■oilthefaiigers;  is  electric  on  friction.  The  powder  dissolves  iu  ether,  naptha 
■but  not  completely  in  turpentine  (spirits).  ,      i  ua. 

3.  Color  black,  duller  than  No.  2.  Fracture,  polished  conchoidal ;  lustre 
resinous;  has  a  bituminous  odor;  melts  in  lioiling  water;  on  further  itrnitio" 
gives  oft  illuminating  gas,  and  leaves  a  coke  similar  to  No.  2.  Ash  of  a  li^hl 
White  color ;  streaks  paper  similarly  to  No.  2.  Powder  dissolves  in  ether,  nantl-i 
SauNo  2.°    *'''"^'°"^"'*''   "^"^^  not  soil  the  fingers;    is  more  electric  on  friction' 

4.  Color  black;  in  lustre  and  fracture  similar  to  No.  2;  does  not  melt  or  soften 
m  boiling  water  to  any  extent,  but  it  is  impressible;  under  a  red  heat  it  melts 
gives  oti  Illuminating  gas,  and  leaves  a  coke  precisely  similar  to  No.  2  and  3  Ash 
small  in  quantity,  light  red  tint.  Is  sparingly  soluble  in  ether,  naptha,  spirits  of 
turpentine,  and  linseed  ml.  In  the  latter  it  dissolves  much  more  readily  if  it  be 
heated  previously.  When  heated  to  the  melting  point  in  a  .loep  crucible  It  iu 
corporates  readily  with  wax  and  stearino,  and  when  cool,  forms  a  homoReneou. 
mass^;  does  not  sod  the  finger,  and  when  rubbed  has  an  electric  action  equal  f.. 

Chkmioal  Analtsis— Two  separate  examinations  were  made  of  Cannol  Coal 
South  Amfrican  Asphalte  and  Hilleboro'  specimens  respectively,  but  ono  „f  tli.' 


*n 


lA^lk 


•34 


TMi 


w 


i 


*fi'?t'iiiu*u«  Iriiiii  Ki^ypt. 


V'olutlli?  mattert* 
Coko  .... 
Ash      .... 


These  reitulu  tnliuliirized,  yieklfil  in  luu  piuU— 
No.  1.  No.  a.  No.  M.  Nn.  4. 

Uaiinol  Coal.    >},  Amor.  Aipli.     I,nko  Aiipli.     nillsboro' 


UtExp.iad  Kxp. 


1 1. 4:1 

I  4fi.8>J 
1     1.7J 


100. 


4!).(il 

4a.r>7 

1.812 


100. 


IstExp.  2(1  Exp. 
70.',>!l  I     70 

-■••"'1^30 


54 


1110. 


ItiO. 


71.()7 

'-'8.04 

2» 

latRxp. 
59.77 
39.7i! 
51 

2(i  Exp 

CO 

39.4.-. 

55 

100. 

100. 

WO. 

MiCRO.SCOPIC    EXA.M1NAT1()H. 

Ueing  unable  to  ..!.t|,ia  ti  slice  properly  polished  mid  Buflicieutly  ihiii,  I  in.ulc 
thiH  exanuuatioi.  a«  lollovys  Having  Hot'tencd  a  jneco  of  No.  4,  l.y  holdi.ie  it 
with  he  ior.-op8  in  tlio  Hp.rit-lainp  Hum.-,  it  was  then  rubbed  along  nlns«,  which 
It  coated  with  a  streak  or  thm  blm.  This  film  was  examined,  an.?  me8.;nted  a 
He.ni.traB8part.nt  him,  similar  t.)  wh.-n  the  Egyptian  asph.ilte  was  fre'ited  in  like 
manner,  there  being  apparent  traces  of  fibre  in  both  cases,  but  no  cellular  structure 
d  8<;erniblc,  This  method  not  furnisliiiig  satisfactorv  results,  I  burned  otf  on  a 
platinum  ioil  a  tew  grains  <d  the  powder  of  .vi.h,  and  examined  the  residual  ash 
tor  cellular  si.  ucture.  Tho  cells  in  the  ash  of  eannel  coal  (No.  1.)  were  readily 
discernible:  no  traces  ii.  the  ash  of  No.  4,  which  rather  presente.l  a  punctuated 
appeal ance  fr.)m  escap,;  ot  the  volatile  matters,  and  was  so  similar  in  every 
respect  to  the  ash  ot  No.  2,  as  scarcely  to  allow  of  any  distinction  being  drawn.  ' 

No.  4.  does  ii..t  melt  readily  in  the  open  air.  It  crusts  over  and  wrinkles  on 
thesurtace  whileitissottun.lerneath;  but  that  it  does  melt  at  a  temperature 
below  red  heat,  may  bo  observed  if  it  be  placed  in  a  deep  crucible  previ.jusly 
heated,  and  so  situate,  that  no  Hamo  reaches  the  upper  margin  of  the  crucilile. 
On  hen  looking  int..  the  crucible,  the  mineral  will  be  seen  to  ?nelt.  Als..,  if  some 
r,l  the  p.>wder  be  placed  on  a  piece  of  platinum  foil,  and  held  low  in  the  tlamo  ..f 
the  spiru-lamp  or  so  that  the  mineral  may  be  heated  within  the  inner  fame,  it  will 
be  seen  to  melt  betore  the  foil  becomes  red  hot. 

^:„f''?°"/''^  cousiderationof  its  chemical  constitution,  it  appears  to  stand  interme- 
diate be  ween  the  purest  bitumens  and  Cannel  Coal,  as  evidenced  by  the  amount 
of  v.,latile  ma  ters  evolved  Irom  it ;  it  might  on  such  account  be  regarded  either 
as  a  highly  bitumuious  coal,  or  a  carbonace<.us  asphaltum ;  an  asphaltum  which 
has  opt  some  of  its  v.>lutile  hydrocarbons,  or  in  which  the  hydrogen  element  has 
been  in  part  removed  and  the  carbon  thus  relatively  augmented 

Its  geological  mode  of  position  would  define  its  name  better  than  its  chemical 
t!.»  Jfl-  ^''^^'''S  tl'P  latter  only,  I  am  disposed  to  regard  it  as  an  asphaltum  which 
has  suffered  by  proximity  to,  or  contact  with,  internal  terrestrial  heat,  and  I  cannot 
consider  it  as  coal  for  the  following  reasons  : 

inntll..'^  """'?  ?f  coal  how  bituminous  soever  it  be,  when  heated  so  that  all  volatile 
matters  are  driven  otr,  leaves  the  carbonaceou.s  mass  or  coke  in  a  form  somewhat 

wn^^.!'l°  ^^"""V^".,  •"'''' J"'''.'.'f  '^"^  coke  of  charcoal  retains  the  form  of  the 
wood  8ud  no  amount  ol  bitumen  will  melt  that  form  completely  away.  It  may  lessen 

fln^^nf^^i,  ■  ^i"'^°™x"''"/"'"l'^°^'  ""^'^  '"  "'l^ei'  crucible,  or  in  the  inner 
lira  coal  "^'  ^^"•«f°''«  """t^'in^  »»  vegetable  cellular  basis,  a.uUs 

r„tiv»'^f?/'^''fr°f  "'^''■^'"^'"'•.^'^"^'■^"y'Fe^ents  a  laminated  appearance  indi- 
iTjfV  '^«  "''■f.^'^'l  °»?g'V-  .The  a«h  of  thTs  mineral  resembles  that  of  the  aspha  - 
tea  takmg  the  light  vesicular  form  of  their  coke.  ^ 

nbah/nrJ!!?  -r""  "''  \""\!"'^  i  *^i^  "^"^•■'^1  ''"^^  "°t  "-omove  it  from  the  as- 

not  alike  xbi  .T^™"'  '  '}^T^-  ^^^  ^^""'  """^'''"g  P°"»»«  «f  «>1  ««Phalts  are 
not  alike.     There  is  a  marked  difference  m  the  fusing  point  of  the  Egyptian  land 

wh,r„?"/P""r^"'f  ^'''^r*^-     '^'^«  "^^^'"'^  P"'"t  ""*y  be  reduced  som^ewhat  bv 

Itine  t  feTpt-*""  "f  ;f"'''i"°""'-     P^  ""^^'"S  "'^^  '^'^  ''^""^le  a  little  wax  or 
stearine,  the  melting  of  these  hastens  that  of  this  mineral.    Coal  cannot  bo  melted 
m  this  way  :  a  contact  substance  cannot  melt  vegetable  cellular  tfasue. 
if ;.  ■  I        .""'"^f;  »»  ^'lectric,  less  excitable  than  the  Egyptian  specimen  (No.  3,1 
.t  ,s  almost  equal  to  the  American  specimen.     Oannel  coll  Is  not  electric? 

J>.  Vegetable  cellular  structure  could  not  be  detected  on  examiuatiou  with  .v,. 


II  lOU  jiiirlt — 

I.  iNn.  4. 

ipli.     flllltiburii' 

litKxpJad  Kx|i 

'>i).77  (iO 

39.7i!    :)i(.4:i 

51 


100. 


wo. 


flicifutly  ihiii,  I  iiiuth- 
N'(i.  4,  by  lioldiiig  ii 
id  nloii''  gla8«,  which 
ed,  imd  pivsoiited  ii 
I  was  tfoiitt'd  ill  liko 

no  celUilnr  structure 
i,  I  burned  off  on  (i 
ued  the  residual  iish 
Vo.  1.^  were  readily 
sented  n  punctuiited 

BO  Biniilar  in  every 
ctiou  being  drawn. 

ver  and  wrinkles  on 
olt  at  a  temperature 
crucible  previouBly 
i-gin  of  the  crucible, 
i  molt.  Also,  if  some 
[  low  in  the  fiamo  ol 
he  inner  Jlame,  it  will 

mrs  to  stand  interme- 
enced  by  tlie  amount 
It  be  regarded  eitlior 
an  asphultiim  which 
ydrogen  element  has 
ed. 

tter  than  its  chemical 
•  an  asphultum  which 
ial  heat,  and  I  cannot 

ted  80  that  all  volatile 
in  a  form  somewhat 
tains  the  form  of  the 
'away.  It  may  lessen 
srial  will  not  become 
;ible,  or  in  the  inner 
cellular  basis,  and  in 

ted  appearance  indi- 
es that  of  the  asphal- 

jmove  it  from  the  as- 
its  of  all  asphalts  are 
)f  the  Egyptian  [and 
;duced  somewhat  by 
icible  a  little  wax  or 
lal  cannot  be  melted 
ar  tissue. 

an  specimen  (No.  3.^ 
not  electric, 
ixamiuatioa  with  tv.r 


30 

teicloBcopo  in  the  way  tlescribcd  in  this  mineral ;  while  it  was  dincornlbl*  in  tho 
•pecimen  of  Cannel  coal. 

(i.  Its  specific  gravity  is  below  that  of  coal ;  it  does  not  soil  the  fingers  ;  anditit 
wei^^litdt  Hsh  IS  nuo  fourth  that  of  the  average  in  coal  specimens. 

~.  ItH  Hohibiliiy  in  miuiHtrua  is  greater  than  that  of  coiil,  and  in  this  property 
•  ■|'i"'<"'9h<;H  till!  asphultes.  The  free  carbon  in  this  specimen  is  insoluble  except  in 
Oil  nt  vitriol,  and  the  ordinary  solvents  net  only  on  the  hydrocarbons  present  and 
not  upon  iincombined  carbon  which  is  the  residual  carbon  of  a  hydrocarbon  whoso 
nyiimg.iii  h,i8  been  expelled.  If  common  asphultum  bo  distilled  in  close  vessels 
until  a  |>ortion  ol  the  hydrocarbons  and  the  mass  bo  then  allowed  to  cool  it  would 
navo  a  siiniliir  appenrniico  and  represent  the  constitution  of  this  mineral,  or  bo  an 
Mpiiallum  with  an  excess  of  uncombincd  carbon  fused  into  the  residual  mass. 
Aspimiie  must  not  bo  looked  on  as  a  stable  and  certain  compound,  tliougii  ci.in- 
posea  ol  carburets  of  hydrogen,  yet  dillorent  varieties  may  have  diirerent  i)ropor. 
timis  ol  tlicse  hychocarbons.  Uraudanl  (mineralogy)  thus  j.nis  forth  that  view,— 
AS  tiH'y  uio  jjicseiited  to  us  l)y  natuie,  bitumens  are  i)iobably  mixtures  in  all 
proportions  ol  carburets  of  hydrogen  of  diircrent  kinds,  with  the  compounds— oxy- 
gen, liydrogon  and  carbon,  anahigous  to  the  coiily  combustibles.  When  the  latter 
pievini  ihey  approach  near  to  the  true  coals  and  the  lignites  ;  the  more  they  diminish 
ana  tiio  more  viscid  and  luiuid  tin,  biiumen  is,  the  nearer  it  approaches  the  carbu- 
rets of  Hydrogen  which  are  prepared  or  extracted  in  the  laboratory." 

*  i;oin  the  torcKoing,  it  is  evident  that  tiie  lusing  point  of  asphalto  must  vary  as  its 
constuiition  IS  diHerent,  wlien  the  proportion  of  its  hydrogen  or  its  volatile  hydro- 
carbon is  greater  its  solubility  is  increased  and  vice  versa. 
H,„  r.      r.  Signed  Thomas  Antisell,  M.  D. 

To  Dr.  G£3ner,  ^^^i^ii^  chmiU. 

REPORT  OF  JOSEPH  OUTRAM,  Esq. 
I  have  carefully  examined  the  substance  from  Hillsboro',  New  Brunswick,  and 
am  ol  opinion  that  frtun  its  appearance  and  characters  it  is  a  variety  of  asphaltum. 
1  perlecily  concur  with  tho  remarks  of  Dr.  Robb.  of  Fredericton,  and  in  farther 
reason  tor  my  conclusion,  may  add  .hat  I  never  saw  any  analysis  of  any  r»al  ex- 
Uibitiiig  so  much  volatile  matter  and  so  little  ash.  The  only  difference  1  cai:  dis- 
cern b.jlween  it  and  the  specimens  of  asphaltum  I  have  compared  with  it  Js,  hat 
It  contains  more  fixed  carbon  than  tliey  do.  But  this  circumstance  will  nor  ^^  ar- 
rant Its  being  called  a  coal.  j    Outram 

Halifax,  8th  May,  1851..  Manvfacluriug  ' Chemist. 

The  following  note,  received  from  Mr.  William  Rice,  an  experienced  manufac- 
tnrer  ol  asphahic  paint  and  varnish  in  Philadelphia,  attbids  conclusive  evidence 
ol  tho  solubility  of  tho  New  Brunswick  asphaltum,  and  its  adaptation  to  the  pur- 
poses specified :  '■ 

BiCHARD  C.  Taylor,  Esq. 

I  find  that  the  asphaltum  is  easily  soluLlo  in  coal  tar,  coal  tar  pitch,  coal  tar 
naptha  and  turpentine,  at  a  heat  of  about  lil'O  or  230  degrees  of  Fiihienheit.  It 
Wakes  a  beautiful  varnish,  and,  from  all  appearance,  will  bo  a  substantial  one.  It 
18  very  much  like  Trinidad  asphaltum,  but  is  much  more  solid,  and  requires  a 
greater  lieat  to  dissolve;  and  in  my  opinion  is  of  the  same  series  of  deposites. 

It  has  very  little  earthy  matter  in  it.  I  should  like  to  contract  for  a  .luantity  of 
It  Jor  the  purpose  of  making  it  into  varnish.  Wm.  Rice 

I  hiladelphia,  August  5th  1851,  Manvfacturcr  of  Marine  Faint 

REPORT  OF  MR.  JOSEPH  OUTRAM,  Ju.v. 
Slit  :-|-I  have  subjected  to  a  careful  chemical  analysis  a  sample  of  your  asuhu!- 
tuni,  and  have  obtained  tho  following  results  :  ^     iubi""' 


Ash,    -    -    .    . 
f.^urbon  in  coke. 


0.4 
31.4 


Coke 


34.8 


Volatile  matter. (;5.2 


Culorilc  Power, o.'i 

Total  Cai'bon 72 

narboii  in  volHtilp  nutitpr,     -  .  r?r  r, 


lOd.n 


I 

il 


*l 


a6 

The  iibuyo  gxiiini.lo  ,if  A»j)hiilliiiii  ix  ruiiiark«blo  lor  tlio  vory  MUiall  <iuanlily  ol' 
nnh  It  contaiim,  Icir  tho  InrKo  nniount  of  volntilo  matter  and  carbon,  aud  alno  for 
ino  ubsoiico  ol  all  iinpuritie*. 

„,    ,.      .     ,  Vours  with  resppct, 

lo  Dr.  A.  (Jesner.  jo,,,.,,  Uutram,  Jun. 

REPORT  OK  A  MANUFACTURER  oF  ARTIFICIAL  ASIMIALTUM. 
A»  to  the  Artphultmn,  I  h/ivo  been  eiigiifjed  oxp.irimenting  upon  it.  m  nUo  tinon 
vunoi.H  Horts  of  f-im  ni.d  cherry  coal,  with  (.trong  nnptha.  Having  been  loni? 
engag.dll.  the  umuiilHcturo  oi nrlijictal  mpkallum,  or  pitrh,  I  Imd,  whilo  in  that 
lm.lo,  Hon.o  opiH.ituuily  of  noticing  uh  vmionn  properties.  I  am  perfectly  con- 
vmcod  tliut  tho  substunco  undor  dispute  is  Aiii)h8ltum. 
,,,  „,.,   ,^         ,  William  McLintock, 

blaHgow,  25th  December,  1851.  Manufacturing  Chemist. 

Names  of  public  bodies  and  indivi<IunlH-nh.-mists,  geologiHts,  and  men  ofscience- 
who  biivo  exmi.nied  tiio  n.atciiiil  of  the  llilUboio'  mine  in  New  Brunswick, 
and  (leeliired  it  to  bo  bitumen  or  artjjhiiltum. 

Royal  I'olytochiiic  Institution London 

The  Armleniy  of  Natiiinl  Sciences    ....         I>hila<le!phiu'. 

Andrew  Ure,  m.d.,  r.R.s London 

Riclmrd  (J,,wling  Tuylor.Mate  of     ....         I'hiladelphin". 
C.  .M.  Wetiiniiil,  Esq ,i 

V''»'ru  M ••'"'''"'""■  *'-° Ho^ton. 

.1.  R.  Chilton jy^^  Y»tV 

The  Right  Hoiioinble  tho  Earl  of  DunJonald  .        .         Lonilon! 

H'>ii.  .luhii  E.  Fail-banks Halifax 

W.  Riee,  Esq     ---,....  IMiiludelphiu*. 

E.  Diiiaiid,  E.«i.        -        .        .1       .        .        .        .  ., 

Professor  EEiiimons Albany. 

(/.  I owiiseud  IlaiTis,  Esq. New  York 

Cliailes  Cogswell,  Esq.,  m.d London'. 

W.  D.  I  epper,  m.d London. 

D,.ctor  Locock  - L„„a„„, 

rrotessor  J.  t ,  W.  Johnston Durham 

l-iofessor  J.  Robb Fredoricton! 

William  McLintock .       Glasgow. 

■Joseph  Oiitiain !        .  Halifax 

Jo8..-ph  Oiitiam,,jan Halifax 

.loseph  Sniith,  Esq Cumberland; 

(ioorgo  Uiincan,  Esq.        . Truro 

Professor  Ai.tisell  New  York*. 

W.  Woad,  FiM[. „ 

Leeds,        pJsq. <, 

H.  W.  Adams,  Esq. « 

To  the  above  list,  the  names  of  many  more  scientific  and  practical 
men  might  lie  added,  were  it  neceasary  to  produce  any  further  testi- 
mony to  show  conclusively  that  the  combustible  of  Hillsboro'  is 
Asphaltum,  aud  not  Coal  or  any  vari-jty  of  Coal. 

*  The  Proceedings  of  tho  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia,  (vol. 
y.  No  >)  in  an  obituary  notice  of  the  late  Richard  C.  Taylor,  record  the  fact,  that 
this  distinguished  geologist  "  was  engaged  in  tho  examination  of  the  injected  vein 
ol  asphaltum  at  Hillsboro',  in  the  province  of  New  Brunswick,  which  is  now  in 
ntigation.  His  testimony  m  this  case,  as  taken  dowu  and  since  published,  is  a 
specimen  of  such  thorough  knowledge  in  his  profession,  such  clearness,  exactness, 
and  completeness,  as  to  be  worthy  of  all  praise.  It  should  have  a  place  in  all 
geological. libraries.  He  was  greatly  interested  in  this  singular  litigation,  which 
seems,  strange  as  it  may  apjiear  to  geologists  and  mineralogists,  to  depend  on  the 
decision  ol  ajury,  whether  an  injected  vein  of  asphaltum  bo  not  a  senm  or  bed 
ot  bituminous  coa  .  belonging  to  true  coal  measures.  Nothing  could  be  more 
clear  n<n-  more  to  the  point  than  Mr.  Taylor's  evidences  to  the  contrary. 


97 


ury  ituiall  tiuantity  ul 
carbuii,  and  alau  fur 


kM,  Juii. 

ASI'IIALTUM. 

iijinn  it,  BH  nUo  upon 

llnviii^   l)e«Mi   long 

I  had,  wliilo  iii  timi 

I  am  jiurl'ectly  coii- 

klcf-IPfTOCK, 

luut'ucturiiig  Chomist. 

niul  men  fifBciunce — 
ill  New  llrunswick, 

London. 
Philadelphia. 

-  London. 
Philadelphia. 

Uonton. 
■    Now  York. 

London. 

Iliilitiix. 
Philudolphiu. 

Albany. 

-  New  York. 

London. 
London. 
London. 
iJuihnm. 
Fredorictou. 

Glll8f,'OW. 

Halifax. 
Ilalilhx,    • 
Oumberlund. 
Truro. 

-  Now  York. 


n,. 


APPENDIX. 


Da.  A.  Gesncr. 


HiLLSBoitUGH,  15th,  Jan.  1852. 


.v«?,7iy    •/?•'•    my  opinion  as  a  practical  miner  respecting  the  Albert  minn, 

n?.,n   1     t   "        '"  ""^'''S  "'"^  '^'■-  ^-  '^'-  •''"^•^""n  '■»  "'""••''y  ""der  a  mistake  in 
pampn  et    m  very  nri'iy  particular«,  and  I  cannot  understand  how  he  could 


Ilhve 

ISri'!  If  '"";.*"'•''  "'■'•'",•''•  I  h«v«  '•«'•"  well  ucquaintml  wit"h  the  Albert  mine 
2!p,1  hlU  l"^"'  "■  "'"'"';''•  \  '"'^''  wrought  in  it  for  month.,  and  when  not  en- 
«ge    t  e  e  have  been  employed  by  Mr.  Foulis  or  yourself,  in  M,e  immediate  vici- 

ffi- 11  ?,/l  •"•''"';•  >''"'^'''r^ '■'"'' 1''"^  '"»'"'  A'^x-'^'  >"""■■'"■  i"  "'"  O"!' 
teE    .f.o       m"  '?1  """■  '  "  '^ '""!"»•     ""^"'g  ''««»  <»  Pr-tctical  miner,  .Mnpioyed 

hav 
eoal 
beoi 


8  oi  coal,  anthrnc.  e  m  well  as  bituminous,  and  the  appearances  of  coal  bods,  I 
o  o.eason  to  d„nbt  the  opudon  Hirst  formed,  that  the  Albert  mine  is  not  a 
tmme  In  {mrticular  my  reascm  ure-because  the  mine  has  no  roof  or  floor; 
auso  It  has  no  hre  clay  of  fossil  plants  ;  because  thn  shales  lie  most  gouerally 
Ji  tie,  edges  to  the  substance  of  the  mine,  which  adheres  to  them ;   becaUHe 


vrjfii  ti..,;..     1  ~  --..J ,,.u......  ,    uLuiiuBi!  uiM  pij/iius  no  most  I'd 

WUfi  then  edges  ^U,  the  substance  of  the  mine,  which  adheres  to  them ;   b 

■  """c  fdlsall  the  crevices  in  the  shales,  and  spreads  out  arms 


the  substance  of  the  m 

to  wh'!^*  llltil,  ^''"'^  'l''-"'-''/'"  tlno.ighout  the  surr..uiidinssliale;"in  l.mnnnerVimiiar 
ill      r,  ,''""'"^""*'''  '""'"*  tniversing  limestone,  and  becaus,.   the  sub- 

Sin  h  .If  ,"."•!"    iwf '"  •    ^"y  ^-^i"""""   f'-"'"    coal.     I  have  found  petr.deum 
Mws,        «•?   r'     •     "''^'"^^^^  similar  to  that  of  the  mine  in  tho 

behi.  .     ;,.A    ^  feet   roin  the  vein,  in  an  elastic   state  like  Indian  rubber,  tho  last 
Dr    f,.rU         '■       i'         "'^^  !"  t.''"    ■'^%'l>l^o'"l'""'l.    Another  particular  in  which 

melt  nml       -     l""    "7,"'"""'?''  '"  !'""  "'"  «"''^l""C"  <d'  the  Albert  mine  will   not 
melt  and  dissolve.     I  Imve  done  both,   and  I  think  Dr 


tak 
tho 


en  specimem,  from  the  lower  levels  to  experiment  upon.     T 
^m.ne  was  dissolve,!  lust  summer  by  John   Edgett,   Esq.,  in  uo,u   u-,   i..  my 
to  bri;'':  .'''r''"^  'J'toa  Wacking.bottlepaper,°on  boards    &c.  for  speclmeZ 

^„:       .'"     .  ""'^  P''^"'*.'"'  ^y  '*""'"  "'■    i"'  'non  working  at  the  mine,  and  nut  on 


Jackson  could  not  have 
ho  substunco  of 
coal  tc,   in  my 


tific  and  practical 

any  ftiither  testi- 

of  Hillsboro'  ia 

if  Philadelphia,  (vol. 
record  the  fact,  that 
I  of  the  injected  vein 
k,  which  is  now  in 
since  published,  is  a 
clearness,  exactness, 
have  a  place  in  all 
lar  litigation,  which 
s,  to  depend  on  tho 
not  a  Benin  or  bed 
ling  could  be  more 
contrary. 


Hove  htty  persons  have  seen  it  done,  or  done  it  themselves. 

I  am.  Sir, 

Yours  obediently, 

John  Rodertsom. 

fanh;^,;rV'nr*''''''V'''*'*^°"^''''''*'^'''"»>"Al^'='"*  "'•"''  »••«  no'  the  horses  or 
taults  of  coal  mines.     I  never  saw  any  thing  like  them  in  coal  mines. 

John  Robertson. 

fes^ecfbr./uirtl*?^^''-.  ^"^W'^'^^f'^^on,  I  certify  that  what  he  states  above, 
respecting  the  geological  position  of  the  Albert  mine,  and  the  dissolving  and 
me  ing  properties  of  the  substance,  is  correct;  and  further  that  t  ere  are^veins 
of  the  material  traversing  the  walls  on  both  sides  of  the  s  ibs  a  ce,  one  ?"south 

Ztti  S  on"l£th"^.l  r  T-r'^t"  ""If't  "''^^'  ""^  '''°  "--ks  with  their  e"X 
BDutlmg  on  both  sides  of  It.  Some  of  these  veins  run  parallel  with  tho  main 
body  and  others  entirely  contrary.     When  the  mine  caug'ht  fire  list  fa  ll^aw 

?},«  \1"''P.*  """^r  ,"*  ^,"-  1  ^^^•°''  ("^'^^  below  No^8)on  so  th-west  sT 
£here  tho  substance  had  melted  and  rmi  like  pitch  on  the  bottom  of  the  level' 


■IH' 


38 

seven  or  eight  yards,  what  had  melted  and  run  was  f.  jm  eight  to  twelve  Inches 
thick,  and  when  broken  up,  looked  as  it  did  before  it  was  melted.  John  Foster 
and  I  broke  it,  and  sent  it  up  to  the  top  with  the  other.  I  never  saw  any  coal 
nlants  in  the  Albert  mine  or  shale.  There  are  all  the  same  irregularities  at  the 
bottom  of  the  mine  that  there  are  at  the  top. 

HiUsboro',  15th  Jan.  1852.  Jo„n  Cown. 


Sir, 


New  York,  Feb.  28th,  1852. 


Your  communication  of  yesterday  to  hand,  and  in  reply  I  have  to  say, 
that  I  have  tried  a  few  experiments  with  the  New  Brunswick  Asphalte  and  have 
succeeded  in  dissolving  the  same  in  rosin  oil  and  in  whale  oil  perfectly,  by 
heating  the  oils  m  a  retort  until  they  commence  to  decompose.  I  have  also  tried 
that  portion  ot  coal  oil  called  retinole,  and  have  dissolved  the  Asphalte  in  it 
partially  in  an  open  vessel;  and  am  confident,  that  when  heated  in  a  retort,  in  the 
bame  manner  with  the  other  oils,  that  it  will  dissolve  readily.  I  will  try  this  and 
let  you  know  the  result.  I  think  that  the  Asphalte  can  be  dissolved  readily  in 
those  oils  that  have  a  high  boiling  point.  Having  tried  to  melt  a  piece  of  the 
Asphalte,  I  have  noticed  that  it  chars  on  the  outside,  and  thus  forms  a  coatiii-r 
that  prevents  the  melted  matter  within  from  running ;  but  if  you  should  puncture 
or  scrape  off  this  coating,  the  matter  will  then  run  freely. 

Yours  truly, 

Wm.  M.  Leeds, 

Manufacturing  Chemist. 


havins 


To  all  whom  it  may  concern— Be  it  known  that  T  have  made  fires  in  a  house- 
grate,  of  the  Asphaltum  of  the  Duffy  mine,  in  the  county  of  Albert,  province  of 
New  Brunswick,  and  t!ie  same  melts  and  runs  down  through  the  grate  into  the 
ashes.  I  have  observed  it  to  do  so  several  times  when  a  bright  lire  was  made 
of  It.    I  have  also  seen  it  melt  ond  drop  down  in  the  flame  of  a  candle. 

.  r.   GOIMARKN,   M.D/ 

Bend  of  retisodiac, 
22d  January,  1852. 


ht  to  twelve  inches 
lelted.  John  Foster 
lever  saw  any  coal 
irregularities  at  the 

John  Cown. 

t,  Feb.  28th,  1852. 

reply  I  have  to  say, 
Asphalte,  and  have 
lo  oil  perfectly,  by 
I  have  also  tried 
the  Asphalte  in  it, 
id  in  a  retort,  in  the 

I  will  try  this,  and 
lissolred  readily  in 
nelt  a  piece  of  the 
us  forms  a  coating 
'ou  should  puncture 


EDS, 

facturing  Chemist. 

de  fires  in  a  house- 
Albert,  province  of 
the  grate  into  the 
ight  fire  was  made 
I  candle. 

*.   GuiMARKH,   M.Dv 


39 

Dkar  Sir; — I  have  received  your  note,  requesting  a  statement  of  my  experi- 
m99,ts  with  the  Hillsborough  Asphaltum,  from  the  Albert  Mine. 

When  Professor  R.  0.  Taylor,  Dr.  Robb,  and  several  other  gentlemen  were  in 
Hilliborough,  1  dissolved  the  asplialtum  in  coal  tar ;  my  boat  wanted  graving,  and 
having  no  pitch,  I  thought  I  would  try  the  asphaltum,  of  which  I  had  a  few  bush- 
els. _  i  found  it  would  dissolve,  and  in  the  presence  of  several  persons,  put  a  quan- 
tity in  a  pot  with  coal  tar,  and  wholly  dissolved  the  asphaltum  by  boiling  them 
together.  It  took  more  time  to  dissolve  than  pitch ,  but  the  work  was  completely 
done.  When  in  the  process  of  dissolving,  the  asphaltum  becamo  elastic,  stretching 
out  and  contracting  like  iudian-rubber.  I  graved  my  boat  with  it,  and  after  I  had 
finished,  I  poured  part  of  the  remainder  into  various  moulds,  and  as  it  cooled, 
twisted  it  up  into  coils  like  pieces  of  rope.  I  gave  Professor  Taylor  specimens, 
which  ill  his  pamphlet  he  states  he  gave  to  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson.  I  have  seen  Dr. 
Jabksou's  report  on  the  Albert  coal,  and  he  may  say  what  he  likes  about  coal  tar, 
pit9bi  and  specimens  being  changed,  but  I  can  tell  him  there  is  not  the  necessity 
iox[fhauging  specimens,  that  there  is  for  bringing  fossil  plants  from  the  South  Jog- 
gins,  in  Nova  Scotia,  15  miles  from  the  Albert  mines,  and  saying  they  are  from  the 
vicinity  of  the  Hillsborough  mine,  as  Dr.  Jackson  and  his  associate  Mr.  Foulis  did 
last  Bumnier,  Dr.  Jackson  may  accuse  mo  of  a  fraud  on  Professor  Taylor  and 
others,  but  when  Dr.  Jackson  brought  to  my  wharf  in  Hillsborough,  a  boat  load  of 
fossil  plants  from  the  South  Joggins,  many  of  them  given  to  him  by  Mr.  Patrick, 
and  sent  some  of  them  from  Hillsborough  boxed  up,  and  a  large  fossil  tree  brought 
from  the  Joggins,  was  seat  in  the  shooner  Edwin  Botsford,  John  Edgett,  junior, 
master,  to  St.  John,  with  directions  to  leave  it  with  Moses  H.  Perley,  Esq.,  and 
afterwards  in  a  communication  to  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  which  was 
repablislied  in  the  Courier  of  12th  July  last,  asserted  these  fossils  as  coming  from 
the  vicinity  of  the  Albert  mine,  which  he  knew  they  did  not,  for  the  purpose  of  a 
fraud;  he  reminds  me  by  his  gross  charges  of  want  of  integrity  in  others,  of  the 
pickpocket  who  cries  stop  thief,  to  prevent  suspicion  being  fastened  on  himself. 
Another  most  extraordinary  thing  is,  the  Stigmaria,  recently  sent  by  Mr.  Foulis  to  Dr. 
Jackson,  when  the  former  has  actually  not  been  in  the  parish  of  Hillsborough  since 
the  latter  left  here,  so  that  Mr,  Foulis  could  not  have  discovered  any  fossil  plants 
in  Hillsborough  since  he  exi)lored  the  country  in  company  with  Dr.  Jackson,  al- 
thoagii  he  possibly  might  have  been  at  tli-?  South  Joggins  again. 

The  Hillsborough  Asphaltum  is  soluble  in  all  s.-Tts  of  oil  or  grease.  1  have  dis- 
solved it  in  fish  oil,  paint  oil,  and  in  common  grease,  by  boiling  them  together,  and 
faave  used  it  altogether  this  winter  on  my  boots  to  make  them  waterproof,  and  it  is 
so  used  by  many  persons  in  tliis  place.  The  first  person  I  heard  who  used  ii  in 
that  way  was  Captain  William  Bennet,  who  applied  it  in  that  way  in  1850.  It 
melts,  runs,  and  drops  when  held  in  the  flame  of  a  caudle  by  removing  the  crust 
that  forms  on  the  outside,  this  experiment  is  frequently  performed,  indeed  hardly 
anyone  in  this  place  disputes  that  it  runs  and  melts. 

Vou  are  at  liberty  to  make  what  use  of  this  letter  you  think  proper. 

I  am  Sir, 

Yours  truly. 

Dr.  A.  GfSNER.  John  Edgett. 


Copy  of  Analysis  is  by  W.  G.  Ward,  Esq.,  pupil  of  Professor  James  Renwick,  and 
to  whom  the  specimens  were  handed  by  Professor  Renwick  for  examination 

Manhattanville,  June  30tli,  1851. 

Gentlemen  : — In  pursuance  with  your  request,  I  beg  leave  to  hand  in  the  follow- 
ing report  of  the  examination  of  the  '  Hillsboro'  formation.' 

First.  Its  fracture  is  perfectly  conchoidal.     Lustre  vitreous,  or  resinous.  Sp.gr,, 
1.  181. 

Second.  Under  the  microscope  it  does  not  exhibit  the  slightest  trace  of  ligneous 
■teucture. 

Third.  At  a  tolerably  high  temperature  (about  450  "  F..)  it  softens,  but  does  not 
iptrfectly  fuse  until  it  begins  to  decompose  (about  550  "  to  020  °  .) 

^fourth.  It  partially  (more  than  J)  dissolves  in  Chloroform,  not  quite  so  much  in 
tibtha ;  about  as  much  in  Benzole,  and  consideraldy  in  hoi  Spirits  of  Tvrpent'ne._ 

fjQTg. — I  do  not-  consider  iny  nr  nenmeuts  with  theso  solvents  as  quite  couclusive, 
for  in  my  opinion,  I  did  not  use  sutCciout  excess  of  solvent. 


40 

Fifth.  Its  geological  position,  as  per  copy  of  the  report  of  Messrs.  Richard  C.  Tav 
lor  and  James  Robb,  is  that  of  Asphaltum,  and  not  of  Coal. 

Sixth.  Its  analysis  gives  the  following  results:  100  gr.  ofthe  mineral  carefully  dis 
tilled  in  a  CounU-r  prised  hard  glass  retort,  by  the  highest  heat  of  an  Araand  BPirii 
lamp,  gave  "^  ' 


Volatile    Matter    60.8 


oils,  etc.  45.7 
gas,         15.1 


Residue  coke,       392 


()0.8 


lOO.O 


The  gas  although  not  carefully  measured,  was  about70cubic  inches  measurement 
Seventh.  I  cou  d  not  detect  any  trace  of  sulphur  in  the  mineral,  nor  of  any  i.v. 
nteous  compounds.  ^   *• 

Finally.  In  view  of  the  above  statements,  and  most  particularly  as  regards  the 
Ecological  Situation,  I '^i\e  it  as  my  opinion,  that  the  aforesaid  mineral  is  Asphal. 
turn,  or  !i  variety  of  Asphaltum,  and  not  Coal,  or  a  variety  of  Coal. 
I  have  the  honor  Geatlemen, 

to  remain  your  most  obd't.  serv't., 

W.  G.  Wart). 


'Messrs.  Richard  C.  Tav 

he  mineral  carefully  dij 
loat  of  an  Argand  spin' 

45.7 
15.1 

(J0.8 


)ic  inches  measuremen' 
iiineral,  nor  of  any  y\ 

;icularly  as  regards  tlic 
resaid  mineral  is  AspLrI^ 
jfCoai. 


rv't., 


W,  G.  Wakt). 


